By Brad Ryan, ABC
The ship's crew issued a mayday call before it hit the bridge, alerting the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of the ship. Photo: AFP
Rescuers are still searching for six roadworkers who were on a bridge that was brought down by an out-of-control container ship in the US city of Baltimore.
But authorities say many lives were saved by a mayday call from the ship's crew, which prompted local officials to stop traffic driving onto the bridge before it collapsed into the river below.
Here's the latest information about the bridge disaster and the ongoing search-and-rescue operation.
What happened?
About 1.30am local time, a container ship ran into a pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending it crashing into the Patapsco River below.
Eight people are known to have been on the bridge at the time.
Two of them were rescued. One was okay, but the other was seriously injured and taken to hospital. The other six people are unaccounted for.
The ship's crew issued a mayday call before it hit the bridge, alerting the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of the ship.
That gave authorities time to stop traffic from driving across the bridge, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said.
"We had a ship that was coming in at 8 knots - so coming in at a very rapid speed," he told a press conference.
He said he was thankful local officials were able to warn drivers.
"By being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge, these people are heroes," he said. "They saved lives."
A traffic warning sign is displayed on Route 95 after a cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse on 26 March, 2024 in North East, Maryland, US. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Who was on the bridge?
The eight people on the bridge at the time were members of a roadwork crew "basically repairing potholes", local transport department secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
A search and rescue effort is ongoing.
US President Joe Biden said: "Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now.
"I know every minute in that circumstance feels like a lifetime."
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is vital to our economy, and it's vital to our quality of life.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 26, 2024
That's why I've directed my team to work with Maryland and move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible.
Initially, authorities said up to 20 vehicles also plunged into the river.
"I can tell you our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water," local fire chief James Wallace told an early morning press conference. He added that rescue divers were searching the river for survivors in challenging conditions.
But at a later press conference, when asked if anyone was likely to be in those vehicles, Wiedefeld said, "No, we do not believe so."
What caused the ship to crash?
Authorities say that's still being investigated by local authorities and the ship's operators. But the Maryland governor said the preliminary investigation "points to an accident".
"We haven't seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack," Moore said.
He said the ship's crew notified authorities they were having "a power issue" before the crash.
#BREAKING Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapses after being hit by a ship; mass casualty event reportedly declared | #6NewsAU pic.twitter.com/5UGNXEs98r
— 6 News Australia (@6NewsAU) March 26, 2024
What else is known about the ship?
The ship was the Singapore-flagged container vessel Dali, its operators Synergy Group confirmed.
The charter vessel company said there were 22 crew members on board at the time, all of whom were Indian.
"All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries," Synergy said in a statement. "There has also been no pollution."
Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, which is also based in Singapore.
It had been chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk. "We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," a Maersk statement said.
The ship was stacked with containers and was bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Dali was also involved in an accident in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016. The ship sustained damage to its hull, and was reportedly detained by authorities, after scraping the side of a quay after leaving a container terminal.
What is the Francis Scott Key Bridge?
The steel truss bridge is part of the interstate highway I-695, also known as the Baltimore Beltway.
It's more than 2.5 kilometres long, and is one of three major river crossings at Baltimore Harbour.
"This is a place that is a normal commute route for over 30,000 Marylanders every single day," Moore, the state governor, said.
"And so to hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it's shocking and heartbreaking."
The bridge opened in 1977.
It was named after the author of America's national anthem, Francis Scott Key, who penned Star Spangled Banner near the Patapsco River in 1814.
Biden said he hoped the federal government would cover the full cost of rebuilding it.
"I expect the Congress to support my effort," he said.
- This story was first published by the ABC.
