Disaster in Baltimore: Bridge collapses after direct hit from cargo ship

In an unprecedented tragedy, the iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge, which crosses the Patapsco River at the entrance to the Port of Baltimore, became the scene of a devastating collision that killed at least six people.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a massive cargo ship lost power and slammed violently into one of the bridge's pillars, causing the structure to collapse like a house of cards in a matter of seconds. The impact was so brutal that the arch of the bridge fell into the river, burying under the water a team of construction workers who were carrying out maintenance work at the time.

The scene was described as something “out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, who lamented over what he called “an unimaginable tragedy.”

Six people remain missing, and authorities fear they may have perished in the collapse.

According to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the ship's operators issued a distress call moments before the accident, allowing authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the stretch and prevent further loss of life.

“Those people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives last night.”

However, the balance is tragic. Two Guatemalan citizens who were working on the bridge have been reported missing by the Guatemalan consulate in Maryland, which is in contact with local authorities and providing assistance to the families.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, the company that hired the construction workers, expressed dismay: "This was completely unforeseen. We don't know what else to say. We take great pride in safety, and we have cones, signs, lights, barriers and markers. But we never imagined that the bridge would collapse."

Search and rescue efforts have been hampered by difficult conditions at the scene, so they have been temporarily suspended and will resume on Wednesday morning. Colonel Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent of the Maryland State Police, announced that the operation will become a search and recovery task.

The impact of this disaster goes beyond the lives lost. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was used by 12 million vehicles last year, has blocked shipping traffic in the Port of Baltimore, a vital shipping hub for the East Coast.

“Losing this bridge will devastate the entire region, as well as the entire East Coast,” warned Maryland State Sen. Johnny Ray Salling.

Federal Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge, saying he was not aware of a bridge built to withstand the direct impact of a ship this size.

The ship's management company, Synergy Marine Group, confirmed that the freighter, named “Dalí, ”collided with the bridge pillar at around 1:30 a.m. while under the control of one or more local pilots. All crew members and pilots on board were uninjured.

The unprecedented disaster has highlighted the fragility of the infrastructure and the need to reinforce security measures in ports and maritime routes.