On March 26, 2024, a large boat collided with a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse. The collision sent multiple vehicles plunging into the water below.
Video footage of the incident is making rounds on social media platforms, X the video shows the impact as the vessel crashed into the bridge, igniting a fire before sinking into the river. No injuries have been reported till now.
The Maryland Transportation Authority closed all lanes in both directions, diverting traffic away from the scene as rescue operations unfolded. The Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X, “All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured.”
Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X, “I’m aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. took to social media to reassure the public that emergency personnel were on-site. “Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted,” he wrote on X.
Historical significance of Francis Scott Key bridge
Named after Francis Scott Key, who penned “Star Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States, the bridge is a historical landmark, which opened in 1977 and is the outermost crossing of the Baltimore harbor and a vital link of Interstate 695.
