Bridge collapse in the United States: what we know about the accident

Highlights: Major rescue operations are underway in the port of the American city of Baltimore, to try to find survivors after the collapse of a large highway bridge. A bridge in Baltimore, on the east coast of the United States, collapsed overnight from Monday to Tuesday after being hit by a container ship. At least six members of a team of eight workers who were working on the bridge at the time of the accident have been reported missing. The American president reacted Tuesday to this “terrible accident” and called for the port to reopen as quickly as possible.

Major rescue operations are underway on Tuesday in the port of the American city of Baltimore, to try to find survivors after the collapse of a large highway bridge hit...

A bridge in Baltimore, on the east coast of the United States, collapsed overnight from Monday to Tuesday after being hit by a container ship. A spectacular accident which caused the disappearance of six people and led to the temporary closure of one of the busiest ports in North America.

The American president reacted Tuesday to this “terrible accident” and called for the port to reopen as quickly as possible, while indicating that this could “take time”. “I told them we are going to send them all the federal resources they need,” he added.

What happened ?

At around 1:30 a.m. (5:30 GMT) Tuesday, a 300-meter-long, Singapore-flagged container ship named Dali, bound for Sri Lanka, slammed into a pier of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge.

In the space of a few seconds, almost the entire bridge collapsed into the water, 15 meters below, dragging vehicles and people with it.

Shortly before the impact, the ship had appealed for help to the authorities, saying it had a technical problem, which made it possible to cut off part of the road traffic and save lives, according to the local governor.

Boats, helicopters, divers and sonar were deployed to try to find survivors.

The collapsed Baltimore bridge © Sylvie HUSSON, Paz PIZARRO / AFP

How many victims?

Rescuers are searching the water and the seabed for at least six members of a team of eight workers who were working on the bridge at the time of the accident, according to the latest report.

Two people have already been taken out of the water by emergency services. One person was taken to hospital in serious condition while a second was released unhurt.

It was unclear whether people might have been trapped in cars that fell during the collapse at the bridge.

United States: trajectory of the Dali ship which hit a bridge in Baltimore © Nalini LEPETIT-CHELLA, Laurence SAUBADU / AFP

At the time of the incident, we saw lights which appeared to be those of vehicles on the roadway of the infrastructure, before the structure deformed and fell in pieces.

Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said sonar was used to spot vehicles in the water, but he could not provide further details.

Maryland State Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said authorities "do not believe" people could be trapped in cars.

No members of the Dali's crew were injured, according to Synergy Marine Group, the shipping company operating the container ship.

What is the cause of the disaster?

During their call for help shortly before the tragedy, the crew of the Singapore-flagged container ship explained that they were faced with a breakdown in the ship's propulsion system.

Police Chief Richard Worley, Mayor Brandon Scott and Fire Chief James Wallace during a press conference following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. © Jim WATSON / AFP

“As a result, it was unable to maintain course in the desired direction and collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” Singapore Port Authority said on Tuesday.

CCTV footage shows the container ship's lights go out twice in the minutes before the tragedy, as well as smoke around the ship.

The Dali had dropped anchors before the accident, in accordance with emergency procedures, according to Singaporean authorities, this maneuver aimed at slowing down the ship.

US authorities have repeatedly stated that there was "no indication" of a terrorist act.

Experts have already expressed doubts about the strength of the bridge, several arches of which have been destroyed along a large length.

Even if the container ship has a powerful force of inertia, especially with its cargo, "the extent of the damage to the superstructure of the bridge seems disproportionate to the cause", commented Professor Toby Mottram, a structural expert from the British University of Warwick.

And now ?

Maritime traffic is “suspended until further notice” in Baltimore, authorities said. The port is one of the largest shipping ports in the United States.

Priority is given to rescue operations and searches for victims, on the surface and at the bottom of the water.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a container ship on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland © ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP

Emergency services are also monitoring the possibility of an oil leak.

Finally, the authorities are already preparing for the serious economic consequences that will result from the cutting of the bridge, a crucial highway axis on the Atlantic coast of the United States, a country where truck transport plays an essential role.

Bridge collapse in the United States: what we know about the accident

What happened ?

How many victims?

What is the cause of the disaster?

And now ?

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