4 Disturbing And Most Deadly Bridge Collapses Ever
In a devastating incident, a container ship slammed into Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, Tuesday, causing the structure to shatter and fall into the river. NBC News recently announced that six people are presumed dead.
The ship, named Dali, sailing under a Singapore flag, notified authorities that the boat lost power, dispatching mayday before striking the bridge at some 8 knots, or 9 MPH.
The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure noted 35 major bridge collapses caused by boats, 18 of which took place in the United States.
ENSTARZ has compiled a list of the most tragic and devastating bridge collapses dating back to the 1800's.
RELATED: Companies Forced To Redirect Cargo, Routes Disrupted After Baltimore Bridge Collapses
1. Ponte Das Barcas | Death Toll: 4,000
During the Peninsular War, Napoleon forces attacked the city of Porto in Portugal. On March 29, 1809, thousands of civilians attempted to flee a bayonet charge by the French Imperial Army, overwhelming the pontoon bridge built in 1806 by linking some 20 boats together with steel cables.
In history's deadliest collapse, per History, an estimated 4,000 civilians and French legionnaires drowned in the Douro River.
2. Whangaehu River Rail Bridge | Death Toll: 151
It was 10:21pm on Christmas Eve in 1953 when a passenger train carrying 285 passengers plunged into the river below in New Zealand.
Per History, minutes before the express train traveling from Wellington to Auckland approached the Whangaehu River Rail Bridge, a volcanic mudslide ensued from the local mountain Ruapehu, compromising the base of the bridge causing the collapse.
The crew managed to save three first-class cars, however, some 151 were killed.
Queen Elizabeth II, who was visiting for her first royal tour, sent her condolences via her Christmas broadcast.
3. Morandi Bridge | Death Toll: 43
The Morandi Bridge, which was ironically praised for its innovative design and artistic aesthetic, became a landmark in Genoa, Italy, after opening in 1967.
However, on the morning of August 14, 2018, the bridge's cables were compromised and snapped during a heavy summer downpour, causing sections of the structure to fall apart.
An investigation later revealed the collapse was due to the corrosion of its steel cables caused by saltwater. A replacement of the bridge opened in August of 2020. The incident caused 46 deaths and 16 injuries.
4. Truesdell Bridge | Death Toll: 46
On a Sunday in Illinois, a crowd of more than 200 people gathered onto the Truesdell Bridge on May 4,1873 to witness baptisms taking place in the river below.
The $75,000 bridge was intended to be an upgrade from the previous wooden bridges that would fall apart during floods. However, the weight of the crowd caused the bridge to collapse.
"The bridge's iron latticework pivoted like scissors, trapping or severely injuring many victims, while the 15-foot truss imprisoned many under the water," the memorial states.
46 people were killed and another 56 were left injured.
