Andrew Pace
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world, collapsed in 2024 when the cargo ship Dali lost power and collided with one of its pillars. The bridge, which was built in 1977, served as a major roadway for around 35,000 Marylanders every day and was an important route for the Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the US. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of six construction workers who fell into the Patapsco River, with one body only being recovered a month after the incident.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bridge | Francis Scott Key Bridge |
| Location | Baltimore |
| Date of the incident | March 26, 2024 |
| Time of the incident | Early morning |
| Ship name | Dali |
| Ship type | Container ship |
| Ship size | 124,000-ton, 289m-long |
| Power status | Lost power |
| Propulsion status | Lost propulsion |
| Anchor status | Dropped anchors |
| Crew members | 22 |
| Pilots | 2 |
| Injuries | 1 crew member slightly injured |
| Deaths | 6 |
| Cause of death | Fell into the Patapsco River |
| Other impacts | Interstate 695 closed, Port of Baltimore suspended |
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What You'll Learn
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore
On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after being struck by the container ship Dali. The ship, which was leaving the Port of Baltimore, experienced a pair of catastrophic electrical failures and lost power before colliding with one of the bridge's pillars. The bridge, which was built in 1977, was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world, spanning 1,200 feet over the Patapsco River.
The collapse of the bridge resulted in a major disaster, with vehicles and people falling into the river. A large-scale rescue and recovery operation was launched, involving the Baltimore Police Department, the Coast Guard, and public safety divers. Unfortunately, six construction workers lost their lives in the incident, and multiple vehicles were confirmed to be on the bridge at the time of the collapse. The ship's crew, including two pilots, sustained no serious injuries, with only one crew member requiring stitches.
The aftermath of the collapse saw significant impacts on the area's transportation network. The Interstate 695, which ran across the bridge, was closed, and traffic was rerouted. The Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the US, was also closed, causing disruptions to the shipping industry. The Biden administration approved $60 million for emergency work in response to the collapse, and the US Army Corps of Engineers took the lead in removing the fallen portions of the bridge.
The incident raised concerns about the vulnerability of bridges across the US to ship collisions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) identified 68 bridges in 19 states that required assessment for the risk of collapse if hit by a ship. These bridges, like the Key Bridge, were built before 1991 and lacked current vulnerability assessments. The NTSB urged bridge owners to undertake immediate vulnerability assessments and create plans to mitigate the risk of collapse.
The investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is ongoing, with federal and local investigators working to determine the cause and any responsibilities. Eight of the Dali's crew members, including the ship's highest-ranking officers, remained in Baltimore pending the findings of the investigations. While no crew members have been charged, the FBI and Coast Guard are investigating whether the ship's crew failed to report the in-port power outage.
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The Dali cargo ship lost power
The Dali, a 124,000-ton container ship, had experienced a pair of catastrophic electrical failures just minutes before the crash, causing it to lose propulsion. CCTV footage and marine tracking data showed the ship losing power, adjusting its course, and emitting smoke around 60 seconds before the collision. The current of a river tributary may have also contributed to the collision by pushing the ship's stern left, setting it on a collision course with the bridge's pier.
The Key Bridge, built in 1977 and named after the writer of the US national anthem, was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world. Spanning 1,200 feet, it was supported by two large reinforced concrete piers. The bridge served as a major roadway for approximately 35,000 daily commuters and was a critical link for the Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest port in the US.
The collapse of the Key Bridge highlights the vulnerability of bridges to ship strikes and the potential for catastrophic consequences. In the aftermath, transportation safety officials identified 68 bridges across the US that require assessment for the risk of collapse if struck by a ship. The incident also raised questions about the adequacy of safety measures and the need for bridge protection, such as structural pier protection and the use of tugboats to guide ships.
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The bridge was a major roadway
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, also known as the Key Bridge, was a major roadway for around 35,000 Marylanders every day. It was also an important route for the Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest port in the US. Interstate 695, which runs across the bridge, had to be closed and traffic rerouted by the Maryland Transport Authority.
The bridge, which was built in 1977, was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world. It was named after the writer of the US national anthem, Francis Scott Key, following a War of 1812 US-UK battle in Baltimore harbour.
The collapse of the bridge caused six construction workers to fall into the Patapsco River, and they were all presumed dead. The Biden administration approved $60 million for emergency work in response to the collapse.
The Key Bridge collapse was not the first time a bridge crumbled after being struck by a ship. In 1980, a ship one-third the size of the Dali struck and lightly damaged one of the bridge's piers. Between 1960 and 2015, thousands of barges and ships collided with US bridges, destroying 18 of them.
The National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation into the collapse of the Key Bridge found that 68 other bridges in 19 states were at risk of collapse if hit by a ship. These bridges were built before 1991 and did not have a current vulnerability assessment.
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Six construction workers died
On March 26, 2024, six construction workers died when the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali. The 948-foot vessel was heading out of Baltimore Harbour bound for Sri Lanka when it struck one of the bridge's pillars, causing a 1.6-mile section of the bridge to crumble into the Patapsco River.
The six workers were part of a construction crew that was filling potholes on the bridge's road surface. Two survivors were pulled from the river, one of whom was hospitalized. The ship's crew was unharmed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the bridge was "almost 30 times above the acceptable risk threshold for critical or essential bridges." The NTSB investigation also revealed that the Maryland Transportation Authority had failed to complete a recommended structural vulnerability assessment, which would have shown that the bridge was extremely prone to collapse.
The Dali experienced a loss of power before the collision and dropped anchors as part of emergency procedures. However, prosecutors alleged that the ship's electrical issues were due to longstanding problems that had not been properly addressed. The ship's owner, Grace Ocean Private Ltd, and its manager, Synergy Marine Group, agreed to pay over $100 million in cleanup costs.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge highlights the urgent need for collapse risk assessments of bridges across the United States, particularly those built before 1994 when new laws were implemented to minimize the risk of collapse after a vessel collision.
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The ship's crew were investigated
The crew of the Dali, a 289-metre-long container ship, faced intense scrutiny following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The ship, headed to Colombo in Sri Lanka, had experienced a pair of catastrophic electrical failures, causing it to lose power and propulsion. As a result, the Dali struck a pillar of the bridge, leading to its collapse into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers lost their lives, and the incident caused significant disruption to the Port of Baltimore, an important auto hub and the 11th largest port in the US.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched an investigation into the incident, with eight crew members, including the ship's highest-ranking officers, unable to leave Baltimore until the findings were released. The FBI and Coast Guard also initiated a criminal investigation to ascertain if the ship's crew failed to report the in-port power outage. While the crew members were not charged, investigators continued to probe the incident to determine responsibility.
The investigation revealed that the Dali had a history of electrical problems, with prosecutors alleging that the companies operating the ship had "jury-rigged" it with makeshift braces that repeatedly broke. Additionally, a backup transformer, which should have restored power within seconds, had been recklessly disabled. These factors contributed to the power outage that left the ship unable to correct its course and avoid the bridge.
The impact of the disaster extended beyond the immediate tragedy, as it raised concerns about the vulnerability of other bridges across the nation. The NTSB identified 68 bridges in 19 states that were at risk of collapse if struck by a ship and urged their owners to conduct vulnerability assessments. The incident highlighted the need for bridge owners to evaluate and address the risk of vessel collisions, with experts calling for proactive measures to protect bridges from ship strikes.
While the investigation focused on the actions of the Dali's crew and the underlying causes of the power outage, it also brought attention to broader issues of bridge safety and the potential consequences of ship collisions. The disaster prompted discussions on improving safety measures and structural protections for bridges, especially those located on waterways frequented by cargo ships. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge served as a stark reminder of the potential devastation that can occur when ships and bridges intersect.
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Frequently asked questions
The 289-metre-long cargo ship Dali lost power and propulsion, causing it to drift towards the bridge and collide with one of its pillars.
All 22 crew members on board the Dali, including the two pilots, were accounted for and sustained no serious injuries.
The bridge served as a major roadway for around 35,000 people every day and overlooked the Port of Baltimore, an important auto hub. The collapse resulted in a state of emergency in Maryland, with all port traffic being suspended until further notice.
