A major bridge in Baltimore, the largest city in the US state of Maryland, collapsed early Tuesday when it was hit by a cargo ship, sending vehicles falling into the water.
Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, two people were pulled from the Patapsco River, and one has been transferred to a local trauma center in "very serious condition,” said James Wallace, the city's police chief.
Wallace told a news conference that teams are looking for “upwards of seven individuals” and that sonar has detected the presence of vehicles in the water.
Kevin Cartwright, spokesman for the Baltimore City Fire Department, said: "We are in the midst of managing a mass casualty multi-agency incident here.”
Cartwright said search and rescue operations, involving a team of divers, are underway with assistance from the US Coast Guard.
Synergy Marine Corp, which owns and manages the Singapore-flagged ship the Dali, said that the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1.30 am (0530GMT)
“All crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution,” it said in a statement.
Traffic is being diverted from the bridge, which was part of the Interstate 695 highway system.
- State of Emergency declared
I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore said on X.
"We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone's safety," he added.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said: "There is absolutely no indication that there's any terrorism, that this was done on purpose.”
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on X that he spoke with Moore and Brandon M. Scott, the city's mayor, after the collapse.
"Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response," he added.
Baltimore, a historic city with a seaport on the US East Coast, lies about 64 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of Washington, DC, the nation's capital.
