Federal authorities in Washington have stated that they do not believe the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was intentional or related to terrorism. Investigations are ongoing, and search and rescue operations are underway after a container ship crashed into the bridge, sending vehicles and people into the water. There is currently no specific or credible information to suggest ties to terrorism in this incident, according to the FBI’s Baltimore field office. The bridge collapsed after the ship hit a supporting column, and the crew had issued a mayday before the collision, allowing officials to stop traffic onto the bridge.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which spans 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River in the Port of Baltimore, collapsed early Tuesday morning after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel lost propulsion and struck a supporting tower. The bridge, named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” was built in the 1970s. Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated that stopping traffic onto the bridge saved lives, although the exact number of vehicles on the bridge at the time of the collapse is not clear. President Biden was briefed on the response to the collapse and directed federal resources to assist. The Department of Transportation is expected to release emergency response funds to support the recovery efforts.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg offered support to Gov. Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott, and the Department of Transportation is preparing to release emergency response funds. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that the U.S. Coast Guard was coordinating search and rescue operations with state and local partners and stated that there was no indication the incident was intentional. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen called the bridge collapse a terrible tragedy and assured that the federal government is partnering with local authorities. He pledged support and reassurance to the city and state, emphasizing that they will get through this together.
The incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge has sparked a response from federal authorities and officials, with efforts focused on search and rescue operations and assessing the impact on the Port of Baltimore. Gov. Moore has declared a state of emergency and is working with the Biden administration to deploy federal resources to aid in the recovery. Sen. Van Hollen has affirmed the federal government’s commitment to supporting local authorities and the community in overcoming this tragedy. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with federal and state agencies working to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is coming together to support those affected by the bridge collapse, with a unified effort to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
