Before the first light of day even appeared, the locally renowned Francis Scott Key, better known as the “key bridge” collapsed after being struck.
At 1:28 am EST, one of the bridge’s main supporting pillars made contact with a 940-foot-long container ship from Singapore. The bridge collapsed immediately, swaying from side to side, before crashing into the Chesapeake Bay.
Seven cars were present on the bridge at the time of the crash, as well as eight construction workers. First responders were swiftly deployed and arrived 12 minutes later at 1:40 am. As of 1:00 pm March 26th, only two people have been rescued as search and rescue expeditions continue.
Three days before this tragedy, the bridge held its 47th anniversary from when it was built on March 23, 1977.
The Bridge was a staple in the city of Baltimore and a major economic vein in transit between Maryland citizens, per CNN (2024). They have talked about rebuilding the bridge as Baltonians remain hopeful that the missing will be retrieved as well as the once proud standing Francis Scott Key Bridge did.