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In the early hours of Tuesday, a bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the Patapsco River after being struck by a large containership, leading to vehicles and individuals falling into the water, as confirmed by authorities.
The fire department estimated that around 20 people may have fallen into the river during the incident.
Following the collision of a boxship with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a significant steel structure carrying Interstate 695, several cars plunged into the river, according to a spokesperson for the city's fire department.
The spokesperson also mentioned the closure of I-695 in both directions.
Footage from the scene depicted the ship colliding with one of the bridge's support pillars, causing the entire structure to collapse into the river. A police official stated that the incident was being treated as a mass casualty event.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency on Tuesday morning, expressing gratitude for the courageous individuals involved in the rescue efforts and offering prayers for the safety of everyone affected.
The bridge serves as the gateway to the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, the largest port in the U.S. for specialized cargo such as trucks, tractors, and trailers, as well as bulk cargo like coal and petroleum products.
In 2023, approximately 800,000 vehicles passed through the port, transporting three million tons of cargo. According to Coast Guard officials, the collapse is expected to have a significant impact on the port's operations, potentially lasting for months.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr.
stated that he was in contact with the fire service chief, the mayor, and other local officials, requesting prayers for those affected.
Police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers potentially in the water, at 1:35 a.m. ET, according to a spokeswoman.
Mayor Brandon Scott confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that rescue efforts were underway.
According to VesselFinder, a website that tracks ship movements, a Singaporean containership named the Dali was involved in the incident.
The Dali is currently trapped under the debris of the steel bridge.
The vessel is operated by the Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group, which reported that the crew had initiated emergency procedures and was searching for casualties in the water. The company confirmed that all crew members are safe.
The ship was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. VesselFinder also indicated the presence of several law enforcement and rescue boats, as well as police and fire helicopters, at the scene.
The main span of the bridge, locally known as the Key Bridge, was constructed in 1977 and is approximately 1,200 feet long, making it one of the world's longest continuous trusses, according to the State of Maryland website.