Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: At least 7 people missing

A search and rescue operation is underway after a cargo ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore causing the bridge to collapse. NBC News' Tom Costello reports on the urgent search to find at least seven people who were on the bridge before the incident.

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[yuurishibuya]

I’m sorry for all the ppl who are hurt by this. My prayers for them, their family.

[johnabbottphotography]

Someone else wrote this, but Bridges aren't designed to survive a hit by a cargo ship. That's too much weight that is moving with too much inertia. This is why, when a boat is going into a harbor, the Harbor Master takes over the ship. And then it becomes their responsibility how about to get it past the bridge safely.

[samuelpancake]

As a coast guard veteran they have realistically around 30 mins to 60 mins with just regular cloths on

[Angbwillinspireu]

The way that bridge just collapsed is frightening 😮

[arkansasorigami]

Umm most bridges will completely collapse if the main support is rammed by a cargo ship.

[MrSailorx]

Questions a journalist would ask....
When did the mayday distress call go out? A recording should be available. Who was the Baltimore/Chesapeake Bay pilot? It looks very likely some serious mistakes were made

[Richaag]

There was nothing wrong with the design of the bridge. No one says “gee, a ship might hit it someday, better add some amour plates”.

[Kbandz]

Very few bridges if any at all can withstand a Cargo Ship going directly into a Support beam. Cargo ships also transport more weight today compared to when the bridge was built in the 70s

[Kristine-xd]

OMG, prayers to all that were on the bridge. Can't imagine this happening during rush hour.

[jonb]

“How” uh because a container ship hit it.. does the reporter not realize how much weight that cargo ship is? It’s harder to stop than a fully loaded freight train.

[grapeshot]

I remember when I was a kid when the Skyway Bridge collapsed in Tampa, Florida.

[MFitz]

As we can clearly see from the video MV Dali lost power at 01:24:32 EST. Watch all the lights go out. The engine probably stopped and she may have also lost steering control.

MV Dali was sailing perfectly up the exit channel at 8.5 knots up until that happened. After losing power she drifted right and started to slow - another solid indicator she lost power. 116, 000 tons drifting out of control at over 8 knots. The GPS track clearly shows all of this.

Power was regained (lights come back on) at 01:25:31 and the stack starts billowing smoke at 01:25:43. I suspect they got the engine back on line and threw it into reverse at full throttle. The GPS track shows the ship out of its lane and slowing further but none of this is going to help with steering control. Reversing causes the ship to shimmy, cavitation from the single prop and the loss of speed reduce rudder effectiveness - and these things don't exactly turn on a dime. The ship drops the port anchor to try and slow down further but its too late. She hit the bridge at about 1.5 knots but 116, 000 tons at 1.5 knots is a LOT of energy.

[uss_]

No matter how much they build to protect it, that is a LOT of mass and energy.

[Gohad.]

It’s like one of those fears I have that I think would never happen, and here we go 😕

[ThatsOneNiceKitty]

People need to take some classes on engineering. Bridges aren’t made to work if pieces are missing or destroyed.

“I cut your leg off and you fell over, what’s wrong with you?”

[fep_ptcp]

The bridge looked like a house of cards collapsing entirely

[jonb]

When I was in the US navy, we lost power dozens of times. It’s a scramble to reboot power. Being dead in the water is scary.

[donnalayton]

God bless those they are looking for and may they be saved.

[janice]

This reminds me of that bridge in Virginia a long time ago…this is very scary…the ship seems to me is at fault..thank goodness this happened at 0130 in the morning and not in rush hour…praying for the victims 🙏🙏🙏

[TheShow]

This report is rough to watch. Lots of speculation with very little fact to back up speculation.

The bridge was taken out by a large container ship. There is a search and rescue operation underway. That’s about it on facts thus far