Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore, Maryland

A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, collapsed around 1:30 AM on the 26th.

The incident occurred when a large vessel collided with the bridge. The ship caught fire after the collision and subsequently sank. Dozens of vehicles on the bridge plunged into the water as a result, although no casualties have been reported at this time.

The Maryland Transportation Authority immediately closed lanes and initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a 2.6 km long bridge that serves as a vital transportation route across the Baltimore harbor. Completed in 1977, it reportedly sees an average of 120,000 vehicles per day.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge was built using a combination of suspension and truss bridge designs. A suspension bridge is a type of bridge where the deck is supported by cables connected to towers, while a truss bridge uses a triangular structure to distribute weight.

The bridge is named after Francis Scott Key, the author of the US national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner'. During the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, Francis Scott Key witnessed the American flag still waving proudly despite British naval bombardment, inspiring him to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

This incident is expected to cause significant traffic congestion in the Baltimore area. Authorities have urged drivers to use alternative routes.