Francis Scott Key Bridge, in Baltimore Maryland collapsed and vehicles plunged into the river early on Tuesday after a container ship collided into a support pylon, officials said, and rescuers were searching the water for survivors.
It is reported that there were lots of vehicles on the bridge as huge spans collapsed into the Patapsco River and the ship caught fire, according to Reuters.
Up to 20 people were in the water, AFP said, citing the fire department.
In the statement, the fire department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident and said workers were searching for seven people.
Commenting on the collapse, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, Kevin Cartwright said “We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 am, that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse. This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river.”
Baltimore police said they got notified of the incident at 1:35 a.m. this morning.
The Associated Press reported that multiple vehicles had fallen into the water.
A Singaporeflagged container ship, Dali, is identified in the area of the Key Bridge where the accident took place, according to vessel tracking data supplied by LSEG. The registered owner of the ship is Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and the manager is Synergy Marine Group, LSEG data shows.
Synergy Marine said the Dali had collided with one of the bridge pillars, and that all its crew members, as well as both pilots, were found to be unharmed.
“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” Maryland Transportation Authority said in a post on X.
