Baltimore bridge collapses following ship collision

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, experienced a catastrophic collapse early on the morning of March 26, 2024, following a collision with a large cargo ship. The ship, identified as the Dali, lost power and issued a mayday call moments before striking the bridge at a high speed, leading to the bridge’s structural failure and its subsequent fall into the Patapsco River. This incident prompted a significant emergency response, including a search and rescue operation for six highway workers who were unaccounted for following the collapse. The collapse has severely impacted ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, a critical hub for cargo valued in the tens of billions of dollars annually. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated an investigation into the collapse, with the vessel’s voyage data recorder being a key piece of evidence in understanding the dynamics leading to the accident​.–Web Desk