Aerial footage filmed in daylight shows the scale of damage to the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US. A search and rescue operation is underway to secure people plunging into the river below after the ship's collision.
In Short
- Container ship collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge
- Bridge collapsed, vehicles reported to have fallen into river
- Search underway for at least six missing people
Aerial footage shot in the daylight has shed light on the magnitude of damage to the collapsed Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge after a container ship collided into one of its columns during the early hours of Tuesday. So far, two people have been rescued, with the local authorities stating that a "large area" needs to be searched.
Notably, all the crew members aboard the container vessel which rammed into the bridge were Indians, the ship's manager, Synergy Marine Group said.
All crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution, the charter manager said.
The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a 'mass-casualty incident', as media reports said several vehicles fell into river Patapsco below. Rescuers were searching for at least six people in the water.
In visuals, the bridge in Baltimore is seen plunging below the river with a wedged container ship. The four-lane steel bridge, inaugurated in 1977 after five years of construction, leads to the Port of Baltimore and crosses the Patapsco River. It is the busiest US port for car shipments.
At around 1:30 am (local time), a 948-foot container vessel smashed a portion of the bridge's structure, plunging several cars into the water, and triggering fears of several casualties.
Dali, the container ship, was sailing along the river Patapsco when it struck a pylon of the bridge, crumpling almost the entire structure into the water. All 22 crew, including two pilots on board, have been accounted for and there were no injuries.
The headlights of vehicles could be seen on the bridge as it crashed into the water and the ship caught fire.
Local police have confirmed that two people have been rescued and at least six people are still missing. Out of the rescued individuals, one is said to be in "very serious condition", the police told Reuters.
