A single loose wire on the Dali, a 300-metre container ship, has been confirmed as the cause of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. The finding comes from a months-long investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Investigators found that faulty wiring caused two sudden blackouts on March 26, 2024. The power loss cut propulsion and steering, leaving the crew unable to control the vessel. Moments later, the ship struck the bridge, causing a large section to collapse. Six highway workers carrying out overnight maintenance were killed.
The incident drew global attention after a port camera captured the collapse live. The video spread quickly online, turning the tragic moment into a viral clip.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said uncovering the cause took significant effort. She compared it to “hunting for a loose rivet on the Eiffel Tower,” noting the Dali contains miles of wiring and thousands of connections.
The crew attempted to steer away but couldn’t regain control due to the electrical failure. The ship’s pilots were praised for alerting authorities immediately, allowing officials to stop traffic on the 4km-long bridge just before the collision.
The shipping channel reopened in June, but the bridge itself will take much longer. Maryland officials estimate reconstruction will continue until 2030, for $4.3 billion to $5.2 billion.
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