Baltimore Bridge Collapses within seconds after a Cargo Ship named MV DALI collides with its main support Pillar. 🇺🇸

The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, MV DALI, was setting off from the Port of Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it apparently lost power and struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The collision caused the bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River, with a last-minute MAYDAY call from the Ship’s Captain, giving police just enough time to stop Traffic flow on the Bridge.

A total of 8 Construction workers were fixing potholes at that time on the Bridge. Emergency responders rescued two construction workers from the icy cold water. Another six are still missing.

There were 22 Crew members present onboard MV DALI, All Indians and all 22 crew members were accounted for, without any injuries.

The collapse has caused all operations at the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest maritime terminals in the US, to be suspended.

According to official numbers, the construction of the bridge in 1977 cost $60 million, which is equivalent to about $300 million after factoring in inflation.

However, reconstruction “could cost 10 times more,” that is, close to $600 million, according to engineer David MacKenzie speaking to NBC News.

In 2016, the same ship DALI, was involved in another accident when it collided with a shipping pier in Belgium.

That 2016 incident occurred as DALI was leaving port in Antwerp and struck a loading pier made of stone, causing damage to the ship’s stern and the pier.

What are your thoughts about this tragic incident & what Rules & Regulations will be enforced to make sure something similar will not happen again in the future?

Comment below! 👇🏻

#merchantnavy #baltimore #shipping