A major accident happened in America on 26 March 2024. A bridge about two and a half kilometers long broke due to the collision of the ship. This incident is being discussed all over the world including America. Francis Scott Key Bridge was a very big and important bridge which was built on the Patapsco River and located in the Baltimore Metropolitan area of United States of America. Its total length was 2632 meters. A Singapore container ship named MV Dali collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 and the bridge collapsed
A Singaporean container ship named MV Dali collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 and the bridge collapsed. When the Singaporean container ship collided with the bridge, two pilots were present on the ship. The crew of the ship and both the pilots are alive and no injuries have been reported.
The pilot of the ship said that he tried his best to prevent the collision but all efforts failed and the ship collided with a pillar of the bridge. Many people nearby recorded this incident on camera and uploaded it on social media.
Baltimore Bridge is 1.6 miles long,
— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) March 26, 2024
this is the moment it collapsed after a cargo ship struck it in the early hours of this morning
pic.twitter.com/eA6womQlcI
It can be clearly seen through the footage that the ship collided with a pillar and the bridge started falling from the side of that pillar, due to its collision, the second pillar of the bridge also broke and fell, after which the bridge collapsed completely. After this incident, a rescue operation was started and all the crew members of the ship have been evacuated safely.
Why is the Francis Scott Key Bridge so important?
The construction of this bridge began 52 years ago in 1972. And it was opened on March 23, 1977. In 1980, a cargo ship collided with this bridge but it did not suffer much damage at that time and it survived. This bridge stood strong in America for many decades and it was one of the busiest bridges in America.
Every year millions of passengers travel through this bridge and tons of foreign goods are transported through it, which generates trade worth billions of dollars. After the collapse of this bridge, America will have to pay the price financially as it will affect transportation. Shipping activities will be affected for a few days and traffic problems may increase in Baltimore.
US government response
Soon after the accident, reactions from the media and the US government started coming in. President Joe Biden was informed about the incident and has assured the federal government of providing all possible help and resources.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is vital to our economy, and it's vital to our quality of life.
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 26, 2024
That's why I've directed my team to work with Maryland and move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible.
Joe Biden also tweeted that the bridge will be rebuilt. The US Army Corps of Engineers has begun emergency operations in Baltimore. A team of more than 1,100 engineers and contractors is starting work to assist the local government.
