Approximately at 1:30 A.M. on March 26, 2024, a cargo ship malfunctioned and ran into one of the pillars on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, leading to a catastrophic collapse. With around 20 cars falling into the water, the situation was dire and detrimental. On top of the cars that fell, some of the construction crew also fell to the depths of the river. 

The bridge is one of the longest in the world, raising some questions to how come this had not been prevented regardless of the malfunctioning freighter. Interviews and questioning has been initialized, yet no findings of foul play. Dali was the ship’s name and was traveling at a whopping 8 knots, considered fast.

Just almost 23 years ago, America witnessed a widespread coastal attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, important edifices of political significance. For this event, it is politically named and symbolizes our nation through its name: Francis Scott Key, the writer of the Star Spangled Banner Anthem. 

Since 35,000 people a day typically use this bridge for transportation across the city, this is a prime government infrastructure. Fortunately, not too many were impacted, but nevertheless there were a few. A mayday frequency allowed ceasing at ends of the bridge before it could worsen the outcome.

Investigations are still going on, and governmental officials are doing the best they can to figure out all angles on this disaster.