Baltimore Cargo Ship Explosion — Check Injuries (Updated)

Baltimore — As the MV W-Sapphire, a 751-foot Liberian-flagged bulk carrier carrying coal departed Baltimore Harbor, a significant explosion took place just off the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge around 6:28 p.m. EDT on Monday evening. 

No Injuries Reported - Fire Quickly Contained

As reported by U.S. Coast Guard and Baltimore City Fire Department officials no one was hurt. There were 23 crew members and two pilots aboard the ship. A 2,000-yard safety zone was established extending from the site of the Key Bridge and to Brewerton Angle Channel LB "14". 

Fireboats — including Baltimore Fire Department's John R. Frazier — and tugboats were quick to respond and brought the fire under control and assisted moving the vessel to a safe anchorage. 

🚨 BREAKING: A cargo ship has just EXPLODED in Baltimore Harbor in Maryland

You can actually see the bridge which COLLAPSED after being rammed by a ship last year

Cause & casualties currently unknown.

Pray for any innocent crew members🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/HhO0iFuHpd

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 18, 2025

Witnesses Share Graphic Image

Nearby sailor Jay Steinmetz watched from his sailboat with his son that evening. Steinmetz said, "we heard a huge explosion," and then he saw the smoke form a tower that reached up to about 200 feet high. Steinmetz said he thought it was a demolition of the bridge but was shocked and concerned, as the situation was much more serious. 

State Government Agencies Monitoring and Key Bridge Deconstruction

Governor Wes Moore came on X (formerly Twitter) to let residents know that both state agencies gathered and were joined with federal and local agencies, and that those agencies were monitoring the situation closely. 

WJZ-TV - US Coast Guard has responded to an explosion on board a cargo ship hauling coal in Baltimore's harbor near the Key Bridge collapse site. https://t.co/dQh92KKZ4O
https://t.co/xa5cM2syCm

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 19, 2025

Demolition of the remnants of the old Francis Scott Key Bridge continues, with full replacement expected by 2028. Construction crews are removing sections piece by piece using heavy machinery, as the state moves ahead on the $1.7–1.9 billion replacement project.