Baltimore’s Key Bridge Struck by Ship, Collapses into Water

By AFRO Staff The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has issued an alert on Facebook and other social media platforms warning drivers to “avoid I-695 southeast corridor” as a portion of the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge suffered a “collapse due to ship strike.” The I-95 and I-895 tunnels are alternative routes to the Key Bridge. Videos showing the scene immediately began to make rounds on social media. A ship can be seen striking a pillar of the bridge, causing a major portion of it to fall into the Baltimore Harbor in the early morning of March 26. Emergency personnel have responded, as multiple cars can be seen actively using the bridge for travel at the moment it collapsed. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski commented on the incident via social media. “We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge,” said Olszewski to his followers on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I remain in contact with our emergency response team as well as state and local partners,” he said. “Response efforts are ongoing. Our prayers remain with all those impacted.” According to information released by MDTA, the Key Bridge opened in 1977 and was “the third longest...