Baltimore, Maryland – Emergency services are currently engaged in a search for at least seven individuals following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident occurred when a large container ship collided with the bridge, resulting in a catastrophic event that has been described as a “developing mass casualty situation.”
The vessel struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 a.m., igniting a fire that eventually caused the ship to sink, leading to vehicles tumbling into the Patapsco River. Authorities have labeled the event as a “dire emergency,” with rescue operations underway to locate and assist those affected by the bridge collapse.
As the rescue efforts continue, a video circulating on social media purports to offer an “alternate angle” of the collision, showing a massive explosion resulting from the impact between the ship and the bridge.
Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, stated in an interview with the Associated Press that it is currently too early to determine the exact number of individuals impacted by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Emergency services were inundated with calls following the collision, which prompted the Maryland Transportation Authority to advise motorists to steer clear of the Interstate 695 bridge.
Contrary to initial reports, it has been clarified that the “alternate angle” video circulating on social media is not from the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident. In actuality, the video footage is from the October 2022 attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea, a fact that has been confirmed by various media sources, including the BBC.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the composer of the U.S. national anthem, has a longstanding history, having opened to the public in 1977. Cartwright noted the presence of several vehicles on the bridge at the time of the collision, including one as large as a tractor-trailer. Additionally, hazardous conditions arose due to cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge, contributing to unstable circumstances following the impact between the ship and the bridge.
Moreover, recent reports have revealed that the Baltimore incident shares similarities with previous attacks on the Kerch Strait Bridge in Crimea, which occurred in both October 2022 and July 2023. Kyiv has taken responsibility for both assaults, sparking further concerns about the security and integrity of critical infrastructure in various regions. An influx of mislabeled and misleading videos has followed these attacks, underscoring the importance of accurate and responsible information dissemination in times of crisis.