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Accident in Baltimore: First indications of cause

(Bild: APA/AFP/Jim WATSON)

Following the serious accident in the city of Baltimore in the US state of Maryland, in which a container ship rammed a highway bridge, there are indications of the cause. The ship's steering system failed shortly before the collision.

The ship tracking website Marine Traffic showed that the container ship "Dali" came to a halt under the bridge over the Patapsco River. When leaving the harbor, the ship's propulsion stopped, ABC News reported, citing unclassified US intelligence documents. The crew had informed the authorities that the ship was unable to maneuver.

Power went out twice
Footage circulating on social media shows the entire ship losing power twice shortly before the collision. The freighter then rams into a bridge pier, which collapses, causing the entire steel structure to warp in a wave motion and collapse in sections into the Patapsco.

Emergency call enabled warning to motorists
Maryland Governor Wes Moore explained that the distress signal from the ship's crew allowed authorities to restrict traffic on the highway bridge before the ship caused it to largely collapse. According to the authorities, there is absolutely no evidence of terrorism. US President Joe Biden stated that there was no reason to believe that the accident was due to malicious intent. Moore emphasized that the preliminary investigation points to an accident.

The huge container ship became wedged in the bridge structure.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Jim WATSON)

However, some cars were still on the bridge when it collapsed. In addition, there were workers carrying out concrete repairs during the night, explained the state's transportation minister, Paul Wiedefeld. At least seven vehicles and several people fell into the freezing water. So far, rescuers have pulled two surviving construction workers from the Patapsco. According to local authorities, one was in a very serious condition and is in hospital. A search is currently underway for six more people. Firefighters, rescue workers from the US Coast Guard and a team of divers are working to rescue as many survivors as possible from the nine-degree Celsius river.

"Like something out of an action movie"
The governor of Maryland declared a state of emergency on Tuesday. This will enable the government to provide aid to nearby Washington. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott spoke of an "unbelievable tragedy" and terrible images "like something out of an action movie". He told journalists that the most important thing now was to find the missing people and support those affected and their families.

According to the owners, the crew of the ship, which was sailing under the Singapore flag, was in good health. There were no injuries on the ship, according to a statement. The cause of the collision has yet to be determined.

Shipping company: "We are horrified"
According to data from the provider LSEG, the container ship is the Singapore-flagged "Dali". It had been chartered by the shipping company Maersk and was due to leave the port of Baltimore for Colombo on Tuesday morning. She was due to arrive there on April 22. "We are appalled by what happened in Baltimore," Maersk announced. "Our thoughts are with all those affected." The ship is said to be just under 290 meters long.

The 2.6-kilometer-long, four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge crossed the Patapsco River as part of the Interstate 695 highway southwest of downtown Baltimore. It was opened in 1977 in the industrial and port city on the US East Coast and is used by more than eleven million vehicles every year.

The final cause of the accident has yet to be determined.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Mandel NGAN)

Port blocked
Baltimore is the busiest US port for car transportation. According to the Maryland government, almost 850,000 cars and light trucks were handled there in 2023. Car manufacturers that handle imports and exports via Baltimore include Toyota, General Motors and Volkswagen. More than 40 ships had to remain in port after the collapse. At least 30 ships were still on their way to Baltimore.