Trapped bridge workers watch in horror... a deafening 'earthquake'... then ... trends now
Soon after 1am on Tuesday morning, a 985ft container ship smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, destroying the structure entirely.
More than 30,000 vehicles travel over the bridge every day and the port it guards is the ninth busiest in America, handling $80 billion of foreign cargo each year.
As of publication, at least six people were presumed dead, making it the first fatal US boat-bridge collision in over 20 years.
Here DailyMail.com gives the first full account of how the catastrophe unfolded in devastating minute-by-minute detail…
Tuesday, March 19
The nine-year-old container ship 'Dali' arrives in New York from Panama.
The giant vessel is made from high-strength steel and is powered by one engine and propeller. It's owned by the Singapore-based Grace Ocean and chartered by Denmark's Maersk.
The giant vessel is made from thick, high-strength steel and is powered by one engine and one propeller. It's owned by the Singapore-based Grace Ocean and chartered by Denmark's Maersk.
Soon after 1am on Tuesday morning, the Dali smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, destroying the structure entirely.
Saturday, March 23
Dali sails to Baltimore via Virginia and docks in the Seagirt Marine Terminal, near Point Breeze.
It's 20-strong crew disembark and are greeted by a local charity who act as a 'friendly face' for the foreign sailors – all from India.
Sunday, March 24
Dali's crew stock up on snacks and toiletries at local branches of Walmart, Target and Best Buy.
Monday, Monday 25
Tomorrow, they will set off on a 28-day voyage to Sri Lanka.
The voyage route has had to be been modified. Dali will now sail around South Africa to avoid Houthi rebel activity in the Red Sea.
Tuesday, March 26
12.45am
Dali sets sail in Baltimore with a local specially trained pilot onboard. (This is standard procedure in ports, as locals know the marina's complicated hazards best.)
The weather is unremarkable. There is little to no wind.
12.46am
Construction workers from Brawner Builders are working a nightshift on the Francis Scott Key Bridge (built in 1977 for $60million and named after the writer of America's national anthem, 'The Star Spangled Banner').
They're pouring concrete to fill potholes along the 1.6mile-long structure.
12.56am
Dali turns out of the port and heads southeast towards the bridge and sea beyond.
It motors straight ahead, reaching speeds of around 8.1 knots (9mph).
1.24am
The construction workers are taking their lunchbreak on the bridge.
The Dali approaches and slows to around 7 knots (8pmh).
In a suspected electrical failure, the lights on the ship flicker out and plunge the vessel into darkness.
1.24 AM: In a suspected electrical failure, the lights on the ship flicker out and plunge the vessel into darkness.
1.26am
The Dali suddenly veers southwest, heading for one of the Key Bridge's main pillar.
The local pilot on the ship issues a mayday alert, warning they have lost engine power and are unable to steer.
Experts say workers and cars on the bridge wouldn't have been able to hear the ship's whistle.
Bridge staff hear the mayday over their radios and urgently start closing the road. There isn't time to warn the construction workers.
The workers turn to see the ship heading towards them, its lights flickering, but assume it will pass straight under.
The Dali's engine appears to restart on an emergency generator before cutting out again immediately.
1.27am
A plume of thick black smoke billows from the top of the Dali as it careens towards the bridge.
Unknowing vehicles speed across and clear the bridge with seconds to spare.
1.27am
The Dali collides with a bridge support pillar. It takes just four seconds for the entire structure to crumble.
The bridge splits into three sections, bending in half at the center and collapsing into the water.
A huge wave barrels inland up the river as the bridge and road hit the surface.
Sparks and smoke pour from the wreck.
A bridge official sends a desperate radio message: 'The whole bridge just fell down. Start, start whoever… everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed!'
1.29am
Broken shards of bridge sink beneath the water and smoke obscures the Dali. The Coast Guard deploys three response vessels.
Calls pour in to emergency services. People are suspected to be trapped in the water.
1.30am
Giorgio Comninos is awoken in his bed. He lives in nearby and hears a deafening rumble. He assumes the noise is an earthquake or low-flying military aircraft.
1.27 AM: A plume of thick black smoke billows from the top of the Dali as it careens towards the bridge.
1.35am
Baltimore City Police are told about a partial bridge collapse with victims possibly in the water. The Fire Department are dispatched for a water rescue.
1.50am
The first fire team arrives on scene and reports that there were 'likely multiple people' in the water.
1.59am
News of the incident begins to trickle out as the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) posts on X that the Key Bridge has been closed 'for incident'.
3.07am
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is awoken and heads straight to the scene.
5.08am
US Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tweets: 'Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response.'
6.03am
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declares a state of emergency and requests federal support from the White House.
6.10am
Family members of the bridge construction workers gather at the Royal Farms convenience
