In a press conference, Maryland Governor Wes Brown commended the crew of the container ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore for their quick thinking that saved lives. The governor revealed that the ship had previously been disabled and was traveling at high speed towards the bridge when it sent out a distress signal before impact. Thanks to their warning, more cars were stopped from crossing the bridge, preventing a catastrophe.
The FBI has ruled out any possibility that the collision was a terrorist attack. Following the crash, two people were rescued from the Patapsco River, with one in critical condition. Six individuals believed to be part of the construction crew working on the bridge are still missing. Three cars and two trucks also fell into the river during the incident.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, a vital link in Baltimore Harbor, was opened in 1977 and named after author of the American anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” With its closure and suspension of traffic in Port of Baltimore, experts warn of potential disruptions to supply chains affecting goods ranging from cars to coal and sugar.
The shutdown of one of America’s main ports on the East Coast could lead to bottlenecks, delays and increased costs for businesses already under strain due to Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities continue rescue and recovery efforts while investigating what caused the collision.
