A major bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a container ship Tuesday morning, sending several vehicles into the water below.
Rescuers were searching for survivors after the boat struck a column supporting part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of metropolitan Baltimore.
The incident was captured on dramatic video, which showed smoke billowing from the boat and the bridge and road it was holding falling into the river. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge moments before the crash. The boat did not sink and the lights remained on.
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A spokesperson for the Baltimore City Police Department told NBC News they are responding to the incident.
“At 1:35 a.m., we can confirm that the Baltimore Police Department received a report of a section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing, with workers possibly in the water.''・Detective Fennoy said in a statement.
The U.S. Coast Guard told NBC News it received a report at 1:27 a.m. ET that a “motor vessel had struck the bridge” and that it was a container ship named DALI, flying the Singaporean flag. He said he confirmed it was a 948-foot vessel.
“The USCG has deployed three response vessels and contamination responders are on the way,” said spokesman Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West.
Kevin Cartwright, director of public affairs for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that an unknown number of people fell into the water and called it a “tragic emergency.”
“Our focus now is to try to rescue and rehabilitate these people,” he said.
The Maryland Department of Transportation confirmed that Interstate 695 was closed due to the collapse of the Key Bridge due to a “vessel collision.”
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. told X that he is aware of the incident and has been in contact with the fire chief, Baltimore mayor and other local officials. “Please pray for those affected,” he said.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott Said At X he was on his way to the bridge. He said: “Paramedics have arrived at the scene and a response is underway.”
NBC News has reached out to other emergency response agencies for more information.
Built in 1977, it was locally known as Key Bridge and was later named after the author of the American national anthem.
The bridge is over 8,500 feet (1.2 miles) long. Its main section spans 1,200 feet, making it one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world when completed, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance.
Both the Baltimore River and the Port of Baltimore are key to the East Coast's shipping industry, generating more than $3.3 billion annually and directly employing more than 15,000 people.
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