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CCTV footage reveals cargo ship leaking smoke and 'losing power' before hitting bridge

News - Mar 26, 2024
 CCTV footage reveals cargo ship leaking smoke and 'losing power' before hitting bridge

The Baltimore Bridge collapses after being struck by a container ship.

The Baltimore bridge collapses into the Patapsco River on Tuesday after being struck by a container. 

Baltimore Bridge collapses into Patapsco River after container ship collision. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X
Baltimore Bridge collapses into Patapsco River after container ship collision. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X

After the incident, rescue workers in Baltimore are scrambling to save the lives of dozens of people following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The accident left a dozen cars and workers hit into the water

Consequences of the collision with a container ship, the Singaporean-flagged "Dali," caused the bridge to crumble, leaving dozens of people and vehicles in the water.

Rescue workers scramble to save dozens of lives post-collapse. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X
Rescue workers scramble to save dozens of lives post-collapse. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X

According to the report,  at least a dozen cars and 20 construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed. 

The water temperature is a dangerous 47 degrees Fahrenheit, raising concerns about hypothermia for those who have fallen in.

CCTV reveals the ship's condition before the impact

Newly released CCTV footage sheds light on the moments leading up to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

Accident leaves cars and workers submerged in water. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X
Accident leaves cars and workers submerged in water. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X

 Rescue efforts are ongoing, and the incident's full human cost remains undetermined.

Smoke and potential power loss

The footage reveals the cargo ship's condition before the collision.  Seconds prior to impact, the vessel appears to be emitting significant black smoke.  There are also indications of potential power loss, though this remains unconfirmed.

Container ship
Container ship "Dali" causes bridge to crumble, trapping people and vehicles. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X

Former British Navy Admiral Chris Parry spoke to Sky News, offering insights based on the video.

 He emphasized the importance of proper navigation, stating, "It just shows how fragile maritime infrastructure is if you don't get things right."

Admiral Parry acknowledged the night-time occurrence, suggesting a potentially lower number of casualties due to reduced bridge traffic.  He also noted the ship's position, appearing "to the left of the channel, to the port hand side."

CCTV footage unveils ship's condition before catastrophic collapse. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X
CCTV footage unveils ship's condition before catastrophic collapse. Image Credits: @YWNReporter/X

Smoke interpretation and cause speculation

Parry further analyzed the smoke, suggesting the captain might have attempted to reverse engines at full power just before impact.  He examined the possibility of steering or electrical failure but found those less likely.

The Admiral pointed to the potential for a course deviation and the role of traffic control systems in issuing warnings.  He concluded by highlighting the bridge's vulnerability, stating, "a real tragedy and the trouble with a bridge like this, if you take one pier out then everything is going to come down."

Watching the video: