According to Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley, there is no evidence to suggest that the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, resulting from a collision with a cargo ship early Tuesday morning, was an act of terrorism.
Footage captured the moment a 300-meter vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the steel structure to collapse into the Patapsco River.
The footage also revealed two instances where the ship lost power just before the collision, possibly indicating a technical issue onboard.
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Emergency responders quickly mobilized after the incident occurred around 1:30 am (0530 GMT), with first response vehicles swiftly arriving at the scene. However, the cold water temperatures of around 48 Fahrenheit (9 Celsius) posed challenges for potential rescues.
Baltimore’s fire chief, James Wallace, mentioned that sonar had detected vehicles in the harbor, but the exact number remains unknown. One individual was hospitalized in critical condition, while another rescued from the water remained unharmed.
A search and rescue operation involving divers, boats, aircraft, and advanced sonar and infrared equipment has been initiated.
CCTV footage captured multiple vehicles on the bridge moments before its collapse. Some contractors were reported to be working on the bridge at the time.
The crew of the cargo ship, managed by the Dali, Synergy Marine Group, escaped injury.
Experts speculate that the bridge’s main support structures may not have been adequately fortified to withstand a collision of this magnitude. Professor Toby Mottram, a structural engineer at the University of Warwick, highlighted the immense impact energy of the cargo vessel and suggested that the extent of the damage warrants further investigation.