All 22 crew members aboard the container ship involved in the collision with Baltimore’s Key Bridge were of Indian nationality. They promptly notified authorities of a power issue prior to the incident and have been confirmed safe and unharmed, including the two pilots. Synergy Marine Group, the charter manager, confirmed no pollution resulting from the incident. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland briefed the press, highlighting the vessel’s high speed and power loss preceding the collision and emphasising that preliminary investigations suggest an accident rather than any deliberate act.
Governor Moore commended the swift response following the Mayday call, preventing further vehicular traffic from accessing the bridge, and lauded those involved as heroes for their lifesaving actions. A State of Emergency has been declared in Maryland, with efforts underway to coordinate federal support from the Biden Administration.
The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following the collision, causing vehicles to plunge into the river below. Eight individuals from a construction crew were working on bridge repairs and subsequently fell into the water. The 948-foot container vessel, named Dali, collided with a section of the bridge while navigating the Patapsco River en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, resulting in significant damage to the structure.
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