Maryland governor vows to deploy all resources as search continues for six missing people after Baltimore bridge collapse – as it happened

Baltimore port traffic is suspended until further notice, Reuters reported citing Maryland transportation authorities.

26 Mar 202407.28 EDT

Chris Michael

In a statement, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed that the vessel involved in the Baltimore incident was registered in Singapore and said the agency was coordinating with the US Coast Guard and the ship’s management company to help.

It also said it would investigate the incident itself.

There were 22 crew onboard at the time of the incident, Singapore said.

Andrew Barr, an expert in civil and structural engineering at the University of Sheffield, said that “the video doesn’t show any obvious structural deficiencies with the bridge, but it will not have been designed to survive a head-on collision with such a large vessel”.

He added:

Bridges in shipping lanes are sometimes designed with strong, stout piers, or additional protective structures around the piers to prevent ships from coming into contact with the bridge structure.

It doesn’t appear that the Key Bridge had either of these features, although it is also very likely that the size and design of the vessels passing under the bridge has changed considerably since it was completed in 1977.

26 Mar 202407.23 EDT

Chris Michael

The vessel which collided with the bridge in Baltimore was also involved in a collision in 2016 in Antwerp, Belgium, according to Vessel Finder and the maritime incident archive Shipwrecklog.

Its bow reportedly scraped the side of the quay while it was leaving port, significantly damaging several meters of the hull, and it was reportedly detained by authorities afterward.

According to Vessel Finder, the weather was fine at the time and the incident was blamed on the ship’s master and pilot on board. There were reportedly no injuries.

At least 10 commercial ships headed to Baltimore port have dropped anchor in waters nearby, Reuters reported citing ship tracking data.

26 Mar 202406.52 EDT

Chris Michael

The White House says it is “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore and its “hearts go out” to the families of those who are missing after the “horrific incident”.

In a statement, it said: “The US Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse.

“Senior White House officials are in touch with the governor and mayor to offer any federal assistance they need. There is no indication of any nefarious intent.”

26 Mar 202406.46 EDT

Chris Michael

Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon Scott, told reporters that “the discussion right now should be about the people, the lives, the souls… there are people in the water that we have to get out and that’s the only thing we should be talking about.”

Richard Worley, the Baltimore police chief, said there was no indication this was done on purpose.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Baltimore, officials said in an update. Two people have been rescued, with one of them “severely” injured.

In a press conference, James Wallace, chief of Baltimore’s fire department, said “at least seven” vehicles fell into the water.

The tide is adding a challenge for rescue efforts, he said, noting that rescuers are battling darkness and it’s possible some people have yet to be seen.

Different agencies are present on the ground to bring equipment to cover a large search area, he noted.

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Maersk has said that the vessel operated by Synergy Group which crashed into the bridge in Baltimore was chartered by Maersk and and carrying Maersk customers’ cargo, Reuters reported.

The company added that it is closely following investigations by the authorities and Synergy.

Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said in a statement that he has declared a state of emergency

“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” he said, adding:

We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety. We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.