Maryland Governor Declares State of Emergency Following Bridge Collapse

Baltimore, The Gulf Observer: In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a catastrophic event unfolded in Baltimore as a major bridge collapsed, resembling a house of cards, after being struck by a container ship. The collapse resulted in several vehicles plunging into the dark waters below, initiating a frantic search for survivors and prompting the closure of one of the nation’s busiest ports.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore swiftly declared a state of emergency, emphasizing that the calamity, which brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge, appeared to be the outcome of an accident rather than an act of terrorism.

“Our state is in shock,” Governor Moore expressed, reflecting the gravity of the situation. He revealed that the cargo ship Dali had alerted authorities of a power loss and issued a distress call just moments before the 984-foot vessel collided with a bridge support at a speed of eight knots, equivalent to about nine miles per hour.

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with crews employing sonar technology to locate submerged vehicles in the frigid, 50-foot-deep waters. Among the detected vehicles were three passenger cars, a cement truck, and another unidentified vehicle, according to Governor Moore.

Tragically, an unspecified number of workers were conducting repairs on the bridge at the time of the collision. As a result, at least six individuals were reported missing, adding to the urgency of the rescue efforts.

“Our exclusive focus is on saving lives,” Governor Moore emphasized, highlighting the paramount importance of the ongoing search and rescue mission amid the devastation wrought by the bridge collapse.