Baltimore Bridge collapse confirmed as ‘mass casualty event’ with pedestrians affected

In a devastating turn of events, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has been officially classified as a ‘mass casualty event’. The bridge, an iconic structure, succumbed to the force of impact after being struck by a cargo ship early this morning, plunging parts of it into the Patapsco River below.

Emergency services are grappling with the grim reality of potentially rescuing up to 20 individuals who are believed to have found themselves in the frigid waters amidst the wreckage. The chaotic scene unfolds as a large vessel collided with the bridge around 1:30 am local time, triggering the collapse of significant sections, including vehicles tumbling into the river, compounded by the surreal sight of the ship ablaze before sinking into the depths.

Distressing footage captured the harrowing moment of impact, revealing the sheer magnitude of destruction as the bridge, a vital artery, crumbled beneath the force of the collision. Pedestrians traversing the structure were also caught in the calamity, further exacerbating the scope of the tragedy.

As the night wore on, Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, somberly acknowledged the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, dubbing the unfolding crisis a ‘developing mass casualty event’. The closure of the 47-year-old bridge, a critical thoroughfare, reverberates as the Maryland Transportation Authority diverts traffic away from the site of the disaster.

Amidst the chaos, Mayor Brandon M. Scott swiftly mobilized emergency response teams, emphasizing a coordinated effort to address the unfolding crisis. The vessel responsible for the collision, identified as the ‘Dali’, registered in Singapore, en route to Colombo Port in Sri Lanka, has since been confirmed by its management company, Synergy Marine Group. While the crew’s safety is assured, the precise cause of the calamity remains shrouded in uncertainty, prompting the vessel’s swift activation of an incident response protocol.

As the sun rises over Baltimore, social media platforms bear witness to the chilling footage capturing the tragic sequence of events, etching a grim reminder of the fragility of infrastructure and the profound human toll wrought by unforeseen disasters.