The 1.6-mile-long Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into Baltimore's Patapsco River after a cargo ship collided with a pillar. Rescuers are searching for at least seven in the water, officials said.
The steel arch Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland collapsed into the Patapsco River early Tuesday morning after a main pillar was struck by a cargo ship.
"Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike. Active scene," the Maryland Transportation Authority said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Transport authorities added that traffic was being detoured from the I-695 highway, a key link in the city that crosses the bridge.
The 1.6-mile (2.57 kilometer) bridge, which was completed in 1977, spans a wide section of the Patapsco River in southern Baltimore on the US east coast.
Videos shared on social media showed multiple vehicles falling into the river after the collision. The incident took place at 1:35 a.m. local time, according to Baltimore police.
The mayor of Baltimore said emergency personnel were on scene and rescue efforts were underway.
"Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway," Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X.
Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told the Baltimore Sun newspaper that the "entire bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River."
"We have reason to believe that there were vehicles and possibly a tractor-trailer" that fell into the water, he said, adding that the number of vehicles is unknown.
