Tragedy struck early Tuesday when a Singapore-flagged cargo ship collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, a 1.6-mile span that is an iconic part of the city's skyline and a vital artery for traffic. The impact caused a section of the bridge to collapse, sending multiple vehicles crashing into the Patapsco River. The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) confirmed the bridge's historic significance, noting it stands where Francis Scott Key drafted the U.S. national anthem in 1814, as reported by 6abc.com.

Constructed to lighten the load of the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, the Francis Scott Key Bridge began its rise above the waterway in 1972 and was completed in 1977 for $110 million. Struggling to maintain an essential link in the I-695 beltway, the bridge has been shouldering the burden of an annual traffic volume of 11.3 million vehicles, as stated by ABC News. The bridge not only offered more lanes for increased traffic but also carried lower maintenance costs compared to a tunnel option.

Beyond its significance to daily commuters, the bridge serves as a route for the transport of hazardous materials, providing an essential alternative to the tunnels where such materials are prohibited, a detail noted by the MDTA and highlighted in the coverage by FOX 5 Atlanta. Until the unforeseen event that unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, the structure was considered in "satisfactory condition," having been built as a project stretching 10.9 miles in length when including its connecting approaches.

The calamity unfolded when the container ship, named Dali, crashed into the bridge around 1:30 a.m., according to tracking data from MarineTraffic. The recent inspection reports had somehow failed to predict the vessel, underway normally, would suffer from an encounter with the bridge that only fewer than a year ago was rated in satisfactory condition by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, as ABC News reported.

In the wake of the crash, emergency services rushed to the scene, and recovery efforts are ongoing. Authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the incident and its impact on the bridge's structural integrity. Updates and further details are expected as the MDTA and other involved entities continue their assessment of this significant and tragic event.