Baltimore Bridge Collapse: What happened, deaths, and other updates

In the early hours of Tuesday, a tragic incident occurred when a cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Bridge in Baltimore, causing a section of the span to collapse. The ship, named Dali, had reportedly lost power before the crash, yet continued towards the bridge at a rapid pace. As a result, six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge were presumed dead, while multiple vehicles plunged into the water below.

Investigations revealed that the Dali had encountered propulsion and machinery issues during a previous inspection in Chile, although no significant details were provided. Despite a standard examination by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York, the ship collided with the bridge support at considerable speed, leading to the catastrophic collapse. Experts noted the absence of pier protection, which could have mitigated the impact of such an incident.

Amidst the chaos, two individuals were rescued, but the fate of six construction workers remained uncertain. The incident not only disrupted traffic but also halted shipping operations at the vital Port of Baltimore. The bridge collapse is expected to have long-lasting ramifications, impacting both cargo and commuter traffic in the region.

President Joe Biden pledged federal assistance for the bridge's reconstruction, emphasising the importance of prompt action.

Well, between 1960 and 2015, there were 35 big ones worldwide because of ships or barges crashing into them. Sadly, these accidents led to 342 deaths, according to a report from 2018 by the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Eighteen of these collapses took place in the United States.