Six individuals are presumed dead after a major bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland. The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital part of Interstate 695, collapsed early Tuesday morning after being struck by a container ship.
The U.S. Coast Guard has called off search and rescue efforts, citing cold water temperatures and dangerous conditions. Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath expressed the belief that the six missing individuals, road maintenance workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, have likely perished.
The collapse was caused by a Singapore-flagged container ship that experienced a power failure before impact. Two individuals were rescued from the Patapsco River, with one listed in critical condition.
President Joe Biden has addressed the tragedy, pledging federal support for the bridge’s reconstruction. The bridge opened in 1977 and carried approximately 11.5 million vehicles annually.
