Loose wire on ship may have led to Baltimore bridge collapse, report says

November 18, 2025

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation has determined that the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, which killed six construction workers, was preventable and stemmed from multiple failures. The Dali cargo ship lost power due to a loose electrical wire and faulty fuel pump before striking a bridge pillar, but investigators found that police who were notified of the ship's course deviation failed to alert the construction crew. Workers would have had approximately 90 seconds to evacuate to a safer part of the bridge if they had received warning when police did.

Who is affected

Six construction workers who died in the collapse
Families of the deceased workers
Police stationed at the bridge ends
The construction team's inspector who was not notified
Port of Baltimore operations and shipping companies
Maryland residents and travelers using the interstate roadway
Maryland taxpayers bearing reconstruction costs
Governor Wes Moore and Maryland state government

What action is being taken

The NTSB is conducting hearings to present findings from its year-long investigation
The NTSB is reviewing its safety recommendations
Maryland is working on bridge reconstruction

Why it matters

This tragedy matters because it represents a preventable loss of six lives due to multiple system failures, including mechanical issues aboard the ship and critical communication breakdowns between authorities and workers. The incident had massive economic consequences, disrupting a major US shipping port and severing an important interstate highway connection. The escalating repair costs—now estimated at $5 billion with completion delayed until 2030—demonstrate how the disaster's impacts extend far beyond the immediate tragedy, affecting Maryland's finances and infrastructure for years to come while highlighting vulnerabilities in maritime safety protocols and emergency communication systems.

What's next

The bridge reconstruction is expected to be completed by 2030 at an estimated cost of $5 billion (updated from the previous 2028 timeline and $1.9 billion estimate).

Read full article from source: BBC