Cargo Ship Explodes Not Far From Baltimore Bridge That Collapsed In 2024

An explosion was reported aboard a cargo ship in Baltimore’s harbor, not far from the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday night.

The explosion was reported aboard the W-Sapphire, a 751-foot bulk carrier registered in Liberia, which was staffed by 23 crew members and two pilots. It was hauling coal and was in the process of leaving the harbor when it experienced what appeared to be a fire and explosion, according to the Baltimore Fire Department.

Footage of the blast shows a sudden explosion that erupted into a massive fireball near the bow of the ship, followed by thick black smoke engulfing the ship. The destroyed Francis Scott Key Bridge — which collapsed when a cargo ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s support beams in 2024 — can be seen in the distance.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the blast.

The moment of the blast aboard the W-Sapphire in the Baltimore Harbor

A 2,000-yard safety zone around the site of the explosion was immediately established, spanning from the ruined bridge to the Brewerton Angle Channel LB “14,” according to the Coast Guard. “The U.S. Coast Guard and partners are responding to reports of an explosion aboard the merchant vessel W-Sapphire while it was outbound from Baltimore Harbor, Monday,” the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.

As of Tuesday morning, the Fort McHenry Federal Channel was closed, Port of Baltimore officials announced. Port officials said the Coast Guard will “determine when the channel can safely reopen, as well as the timing of vessels arrivals and departures.”

The vessel remained afloat following the explosion after the fire was contained. It was eventually escorted out of the water with assistance from tugboats.

Jay Steinmetz and his son, Sam, were sailing in the Patapsco River when the explosion occurred. “We were out sailing and we heard a really loud explosion,” the elder Steinmetz told CBS News. “We turned around, and there was a 200-foot plume of smoke. We are like, ‘Holy crap.’ Within two or five minutes, we hear, ‘Mayday, mayday.'”

The father and son initially thought demolition work was being done on the ruined bridge when they first heard the blast. “We thought it was them doing demolition on the Key Bridge,” said Sam Steinmetz. “We had just passed under the bridge, and the Sapphire ship had passed right by us. It was right next to the bridge, where it happened.”

In July, crews got to work on demolishing the remaining parts of the Key Bridge that are still standing after a cargo ship collided with one of its supports in March 2024.

The container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, experienced a “complete blackout” that knocked out its engine and navigating systems, causing it to drift and strike a critical support pier of the bridge. A loose electrical cable in the transformer and breaker system was identified as a potential factor.

Six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge were killed in the collapse, while two additional workers were rescued from the water.

Investigations into the Key Bridge collapse are ongoing as of this report. The FBI and U.S. Coast Guard are conducting a criminal investigation into potential violations, including whether the crew was aware of mechanical or electrical issues before departure, with possible charges under the Seaman’s Manslaughter Statute.

The Key Bridge’s replacement process is expected to be completed in 2028.