In a devastating turn of events, a container ship collision has led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, with six individuals presumed dead. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the city and raised questions about maritime safety protocols. (video)

Officials have confirmed that the vessel involved in the collision, the Singapore-flagged Dali, lost power shortly after departing from the port of Baltimore. The crew, embarked on a 27-day journey to Sri Lanka, found themselves in a perilous situation as they attempted to navigate the vessel without engine power.

According to reports, the ship's lights abruptly went out, plunging the crew into darkness as they scrambled to assess the situation. Despite efforts to rectify the power loss, including dropping anchor and attempting emergency procedures, the vessel continued on its trajectory towards the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Tragically, the bridge could not withstand the impact, collapsing into the Patapsco River as the Dali collided with it. The chaos of the moment was compounded by a mayday call issued by the crew, alerting authorities to the imminent disaster.

Among the missing is Miguel Luna, a worker on the bridge at the time of the collision, originally from El Salvador. As rescue efforts continue, families anxiously await news of their loved ones, hoping for a miracle amidst the wreckage.

President Biden has pledged full support for the reconstruction of the bridge, promising that the US government will shoulder the financial burden of rebuilding. However, as investigations into the incident unfold, questions linger about the circumstances leading to the collision and whether adequate safety measures were in place.

As the city of Baltimore grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, the focus turns to accountability and ensuring that such a disaster never occurs again. For now, the search for answers continues amid the debris of a shattered bridge and shattered lives.