BALTIMORE — Following the early Tuesday collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, emergency teams rescued two individuals from the Patapsco River’s freezing waters. The disaster struck when a container ship hit the bridge around 1:30 a.m., sending vehicles into the river below. The Baltimore Fire Department, aided by the U.S. Coast Guard, is conducting a search and rescue operation, facing challenges due to the river’s 50-foot depth and 48-degree water temperature.
Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld reported eight victims from the incident, with six still missing. The Coast Guard has deployed boats, a helicopter, and the Cutter Mako to the scene, focusing on finding survivors. One of the rescued is in serious condition at the University of Maryland Medical Center, while the other was unharmed. The state is providing support for victims’ families, including mental health services, as the search for survivors continues.
