A major bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, partially collapsed Tuesday morning after being struck by a cargo ship, potentially stranding a number of people in the river below, authorities said.
A representative for the Baltimore Police Department informed NBC News that they were responding to the incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a massive steel structure that carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore.
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” Detective Niki Fennoy said in a statement.
What to Know About the Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Baltimore Bridge Collapses)
The U.S. Coast Guard informed NBC News at 1:27 a.m. ET that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed that it was a 948-foot container ship named DALI flying the Singaporean flag.
“The USCG has deployed three response boats, and pollution responders are on their way,” a spokesperson, Petty Officer First Class Matthew West, confirmed.
The Maryland Transport Authority confirmed that I-695 was closed because the Key Bridge collapsed due to a “ship strike.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said on X that he was aware of the situation and has spoken with the fire chief, Baltimore’s mayor, and other local officials. “Please pray for those impacted,” he said.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced on X that he was on his way to the bridge. “Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he told reporters.
NBC News has contacted other emergency response agencies for more information.
Images taken on social media early Tuesday show the wrecked bridge rising out of the river in the dawn gloom. The video showed a stationary ship with its lights still turned on against the black shape of the wrecked steel structure. A video of the crash shows the ship slowly moving toward the bridge’s support while cars and trucks drive on the road above.
Built in 1977 and colloquially known as the Key Bridge, it was later named after the creator of the American national anthem.
The bridge is more than 8,500 feet (1.2 miles) long in total. According to the National Steel Bridge Alliance, the main section spans 1,200 feet and when completed was one of the world’s longest continuous truss bridges.
Rescue personnel are allegedly hunting for seven individuals after the Baltimore bridge collapse.
A Baltimore City Fire Department official informed the Associated Press that rescuers are looking for at least seven individuals in the Patapsco River after many automobiles fell into the water when the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed overnight.
Local agencies received 911 calls about 1:30 a.m. ET stating that a ship leaving Baltimore had collided with a column on the bridge, according to Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department.
Cartwright stated that there looked to be “some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge,” making conditions hazardous and unstable for emergency responders on the scene.
CNN has reached out to the Baltimore City Fire Department, the Maryland Department of Transportation, and the United States Coast Guard for more details.
The DALI, a Singaporean-flagged ship, collided with the Baltimore bridge, according to a MarineTraffic and Coast Guard officer.
The DALI, a Singaporean-flagged container ship, collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to data from a marine monitoring site and a Coast Guard officer.
According to the maritime tracking service MarineTraffic, the Singapore-flagged ship paused in Baltimore before sailing for Colombo, Sri Lanka. According to the website, it looked to have come to a stop around 1:30 a.m. ET and was surrounded by first responder boats.
At the same time, local agencies reported receiving 911 calls that a huge ship sailing outbound from Baltimore had collided with a column on the bridge, according to Kevin Cartwright, spokesperson for the Baltimore Fire Department.
Matthew West, a Coast Guard petty officer first class in Baltimore, also informed the New York Times that the bridge was struck by the DALI.
According to MarineTraffic statistics, the ship measures around 300 meters (984 feet) in length and 48 meters (157 feet) wide.
CNN has asked the Coast Guard and is seeking to reach the ship’s owner and managers.
Following the bridge collapse, the US Secretary of Transportation spoke with the governor of Maryland and the mayor of Baltimore.
According to a post on X by US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, he met with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.
In a statement, Buttigieg stated that “rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response.”
Divers are searching quickly for anyone who may be in the water.
According to CNN’s Derek Van Dam, the water at the collapsed bridge is approximately 48°F (9°C), making rescue attempts even more urgent for anyone who may be in the water.
“Water temperature of roughly 50 doesn’t sound all that cold, but indeed that type of water temperature can be deadly.”
“Water drains body heat about four times faster than cold air does,” he stated on CNN’s This Morning.
According to Van Dam, the body can endure temperatures that low for one to three hours. However, he stated that undersea divers quickly entered the water to begin a search and rescue effort, “that is why it is so incredibly crucial.”
Earlier, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department, told CNN that temperatures near the port at 1:30 a.m. ET were around 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 degrees Celsius).
The US Coast Guard has confirmed reports of vehicles in the water following the fall of the Baltimore bridge.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) is responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge incident after getting word that a cargo ship struck it at 1:27 a.m. ET “and it subsequently collapsed,” according to Kimberly Reaves, a public relations officer for the Coast Guard’s Fifth District.
According to Reaves, there have been reports of automobiles in the water, and the Coast Guard has sent out “multiple” reaction units to conduct a search and rescue effort.
“Coast Guard units on scene include small boats from Station Annapolis and Station Curtis Bay and a helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City,” the message went on to say.
Reaves said that numerous state and local authorities are aiding, although it is unknown if there have been any casualties.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates.
