Baltimore Bridge Collapse: At Least 7 People Fall Into Water After Container Ship Collision

A State of Emergency has been declared in Maryland after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore.

Per a regional report from Michelle Deal-Zimmerman and Hayes Gardner for the Baltimore Sun, the bridge collapsed into the cold waters of the Patapsco River Tuesday morning after being hit by a container ship. 

Speaking to reporters, James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, said that it was initially believed that "a portion" of the bridge had collapsed. However, "a complete collapse" was confirmed once officers started arriving on the scene.
 

"We were able to remove two people from the water," Wallace said early Tuesday. "One individual refused service and refused transport. Essentially, that person was not injured. However, there is another individual that’s been transported to the local trauma center that’s in very serious condition."

Wallace also confirmed that "at least seven" people had fallen into the water, though he also pointed out the "dynamic" nature of that estimate, noting that it was as high as 20 earlier into the multi-agency response. Notably, search-and-rescue operations remained in progress at the time of this writing.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the State of Emergency declaration Tuesday morning, adding that his office was in communication with federal, state, and local officials.
 

My office is in close communication with U.S. Transportation @SecretaryPete Buttigieg, Baltimore @MayorBMScott, @BaltCoExec, and @BaltimoreFire as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) March 26, 2024