The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, tragically collapsed into the Patapsco River on a Tuesday, following a collision with a large cargo ship.
This incident triggered a massive emergency response, with the Baltimore City Fire Department classifying it as a mass-casualty event.
Rescue teams are actively searching for seven individuals in the river, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency in response.
Named after the author of the "Star-Spangled Banner," this 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the United States and the third longest in the world.
Reports indicate that the collapse led to multiple vehicles and possibly up to 20 individuals plunging into the harbor below.
Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department informed CNN, "Unfortunately, we understand that there were up to 20 individuals who may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles."
The cargo ship involved in the collision is a Singapore-flagged container ship known as the Dali. MarineTraffic, a ship monitoring website, confirmed the Dali's presence under the bridge following the incident.
In response to the ongoing rescue operation, police have closed the stretch of I-695 on the north end of the Key Bridge.
The community is rallying around this crisis, demonstrating the resilience and unity of Baltimore in the face of adversity.