The Baltimore Ravens and Orioles insist the city will ‘stand together’ following the terrifying collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early on Tuesday morning.
Reports indicate that at least a dozen cars, plus roughly 20 construction workers, were plunged into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River after a container ship lost electrical power and smashed into the bridge, sending its iconic structure crashing down and leaving multiple people missing.
At the first press conference at around 6:30am, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace could only confirm that two people had been pulled from the water. One was unhurt, while the other had to be rushed to a local hospital with ‘serious injuries.’
Wallace said that first responders on the scene are looking for ‘upwards of seven’ people, but that the number of missing could change as the collapse is a ‘very large incident.’ The chief called the efforts a ‘search and rescue’ operation.
Amid the frantic search for those plunged into the river, the Ravens and the Orioles have issued poignant statements on Tuesday morning. Both teams heaped praise on rescuers while backing Baltimore to unite in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Baltimore Ravens and Orioles insist the city will ‘stand together’ following the terrifying collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson sent his ‘heart, thoughts and prayers’ to those affected
NFL team the Ravens first wrote: ‘Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by the horrific Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse early this morning.
‘We are grateful for the first responders and local leaders who are on scene to lead the search and rescue efforts and to support those families who have been most directly impacted.
‘We know that the Baltimore community will stand together in the aftermath of this tragic event.’
Quarterback Lamar Jackson also posted: ‘For the people and their families that was apart of the collapsing Bridge in Baltimore my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all…’
Baltimore’s MLB franchise echoed those words by saying: ‘We are devastated by the news of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and send our thoughts and prayers to those impacted by this tragedy.
‘We thank the brave first responders and the men and women actively working on rescue efforts.
‘Baltimore, we’re a tight-knit and resilient city. Together we will get through this.’
Baltimore Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning following the catastrophic collision, which occurred at about 1.30am. The ship – the Singaporean-flagged Dali – was 20 minutes into its journey when it slammed into a support column on the bridge.
Moore said the ship’s crew managed to issue a Mayday before it crashed into the bridge, which allowed officials to stop cars from going on the bridge.
‘We’re thankful that between the ‘mayday’ and collapse that-that we had officials who were able to-to begin the stop the flow of traffic so more cars were not up on the bridge,’ the Democrat added.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said eight people were on the bridge when it collapsed, and two of them were rescued from the water, with one declining medical treatment and the other being taken to the hospital.
It remains unclear what led to the crash. Video shows the ship going dark seconds before the collision, suggesting a power failure on board. The crew of 22 remains onboard and is now being questioned by the Coast Guard.
In the latest update by officials, gov Moore said divers and air assets are currently working ‘to save lives’ and will update the public as the work continues.
Baltimore Governor Wes Moore said divers and air assets are currently working ‘to save lives’ and will update the public as the work continues
The bridge spans 9,000 feet across the Patapsco River and is 180 feet above the water
‘I recognize that many of us are hurting and scared right now,’ the Democrat said just before 10am.
‘I want to be clear, we are still investigating what happened, but our preliminary findings points to an accident, we haven’t seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack.’
FBI special agent in charge of the Baltimore office William DelBagno said ‘there is no specific or credible information to suggest there are ties to terrorism in this incident.’
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