Catastrophic Bridge Collapse in Baltimore: Container Ship Triggers Disaster

Baltimore, a city already rich in history, faced an unprecedented disaster early Tuesday when a container ship, the Dali, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The impact was so severe that it caused a significant portion of the bridge to break away and fall into the Patapsco River below. The incident, occurring just outside the city limits near Washington, D.C., has escalated into what authorities are calling a “developing mass casualty event.” In the immediate aftermath, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace confirmed the rescue of two individuals from the icy river waters, with one suffering serious injuries. As the search operation continues, Chief Wallace indicated that the rescue teams are potentially looking for up to seven individuals, though this number remains fluid. The relationship between the initial rescues and the ongoing search efforts is yet to be clarified. The crash happened in the dead of night, a time when the bridge’s traffic is relatively sparse compared to the daytime hustle when it serves as a critical artery for thousands of commuters. Kevin Cartwright, speaking for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that the bridge was not empty at the time of the collapse. Among the vehicles present...