Officials successfully halted traffic on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, averting disaster as a large cargo ship approached. Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised the quick action, stating that it undoubtedly saved lives.
The container ship Dali had issued a mayday call as it neared the 1.6-mile-long bridge at an alarming speed of eight knots.
Following the alert, authorities swiftly prevented additional cars from entering the bridge before it collapsed.
"These individuals are heroes," Moore emphasized during a press briefing. "Their actions saved lives last night."
After receiving notice from the ship's personnel that they had lost control, local authorities managed to close the bridge just before the collision, an action President Joe Biden described as saving lives during remarks on the incident.
A review of traffic cameras confirmed that no vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, according to an internal U.S. Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.
The Singapore-flagged vessel struck the bridge around 1:30 a.m. ET, resulting in a partial collapse. Several maintenance workers and vehicles were reportedly on the span when it collapsed. While two workers have been rescued, six remain unaccounted for.
"A search-and-rescue operation is underway," Moore stated. "Divers and emergency personnel are scouring the area for individuals who may have fallen into the frigid water."
Moore assured that there was no credible evidence indicating terrorism involvement, emphasizing that it seemed to be a tragic accident.
The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, spans the Patapsco River in the Port of Baltimore. It had an estimated daily traffic of 30,000 vehicles, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.