First-hand witness video shows aftermath of Baltimore bridge collapse
Topics: US News, Baltimore bridge
Emma Rosemurgey
Featured Image Credit: Bobby Gattus
Topics: US News, Baltimore bridge
A shocking video has revealed the aftermath of the collapse of a bridge in Baltimore, which was hit by a huge container ship in the early hours of this morning.
The incident, which took place at around 1.30am local time, has since been declared a state of emergency after multiple people and vehicles fell into the water as the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River.
Footage taken by eyewitness Bobby Gattus shows the aftermath of the collision, in which he describes the bridge as being 'completely gone'.
"If you wanna' know what the bang was, a ship hit the Key Bridge... Sinking, the bridge is gone. Holy hell," he can be heard saying in the background of the clip.
CCTV footage of the incident shows the 300-meter container ship blowing a significant amount of black smoke into the air just moments before colliding with the bridge.
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Although yet to be confirmed, it is thought the ship, known as the Dali, may have lost power prior to the collision.
Speaking to Sky News, former British Navy Admiral Chris Parry, said this particular incident is proof of how fragile ‘maritime infrastructure is if you don’t get things right.’
Authorities are yet to confirm fatalities; however the Baltimore City Fire Department described the scene as a 'mass casualty event' after launching a huge multi-agency rescue operation, with support from the US coastguard and other Maryland agencies.
Two people have been rescued from the water, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace.
One was severely injured and transported to a local trauma centre in a serious condition.
Rescuers believe they could be looking for upwards of seven people in the water.
Taking to X, the governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, announced he had declared a state of emergency following the incident.
He wrote: "I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration."
Kevin Cartwright, director of communications of the Baltimore City Fire Department, shared an update on the rescue mission around three hours after the incident, telling CNN 'some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge' were causing issues for responders operating at the scene.
"This happened at 1.30am with limited visibility so we are working aggressively, considering the environmental temperatures as well as the water temperatures to try and rescue and perhaps recover individuals," he continued.
Cartwright said the temperature felt 'at least about 30 degrees [Fahrenheit] (-1°C)' where he was, noting that the temperature of the water would likely be lower, posing a risk to divers on the scene.
LADbible Group has contacted the Baltimore City Fire Department and US Coast Guard for further updates.