Expert explains main reasons how ship could have crashed into Baltimore Bridge

There is no indication that the crash was deliberate

On Tuesday, a “mass casualty event” was declared after the 1.6 mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore.

A Singapore-flagged container ship called DALI struck one of the pillars of the bridge at around 01:35am local time, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River.

People were on the bridge at the time, and the Baltimore City Fire Department said as many as 20 people are believed to have fallen into the water.

A shipping expert has now revealed what he thinks the main causes of the ship's collision with the bridge could be.

The BBC reports that the Singapore-based expert, who chose to remain anonymous, has sailed cargo ships through Baltimore's port may times.

After watching the footage of the bridge collapse, he told the broadcaster that the main causes for the accident could be:

• Main engine failure
• Steering failure
• Generator blackout
• Human error

He said: "It’s an unusual turn. Before a ship departs, we are supposed to carry out all the checks on all elements of the vessel before it departs. It’s part of the departure checklist. So, if everything was done, something was obviously overlooked.

“These ships are so huge that even if the speed is slow, the momentum would be huge."

He also wondered when the last structural check of the bridge was, pointing out that it "should have been checked often" due to the its location right next to a port and how often ships would be passing underneath it.

The Baltimore fire chief has said there is "no indication" that the crash was an act of terrorism.

Shipping giant Maersk has confirmed it had charted the ship involved in the incident.

In a statement, the company said: “We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected.

“We can confirm that the container vessel 'DALI', operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo.”

All of the crew onboard the DALI have been accounted for and there are no reported casualties or injuries amongst them.

A major search operation is still underway to locate individuals, with two people having so far been rescued from the water.

One of these is in a “very serious condition” police confirmed in a press conference.

Built in 1977, the Key Bridge is 3km (1.6 mile) long and is part of the 695 highway that circles Baltimore.

Upon its completion, it was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance.

Related links:

‘Scary’ Baltimore Bridge footage resurfaces after collapse