An explosion occurred on a cargo ship in Baltimore Harbor on Monday evening, marking a significant incident near the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The explosion, which took place around 6:30 p.m., sent a fireball into the air from the bow of the W-Sapphire cargo ship, raising concerns about safety in one of the nation’s busiest ports.
- Explosion on cargo ship in Baltimore Harbor
- W-Sapphire cargo ship caught fire
- No injuries or property damage reported
- Coast Guard investigating the incident
- Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed last year
- Recovery efforts for bridge expected until 2028
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that 23 crew members and two pilots were aboard the Liberian-flagged vessel at the time of the explosion. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage have been reported, as the Maryland Department of Emergency Management monitored the situation closely. Livestream footage captured the dramatic scene, with thick black smoke billowing from the ship.
This incident brings to light the ongoing challenges faced by Baltimore’s shipping industry. With the Port of Baltimore being the ninth-busiest in the U.S., how will such explosions affect international trade? The investigation into the explosion’s cause is underway, and fireboats remain on the scene. Key points include:
- The W-Sapphire remains afloat despite the explosion.
- Fireboats are monitoring the situation as investigations commence.
- The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse last year raised significant safety concerns.
