A bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, US, about 2.57 kilometers long, collapsed early Tuesday morning after it was struck by a cargo ship, according to media reports. BBC News.
Baltimore police were notified of the partial bridge collapse around 1:30 a.m. Authorities are looking for at least six people to be part of the construction crew maintaining the bridge.
Two people were rescued. One of them was taken to the hospital in very serious condition but eventually died, according to the Maryland Secretary of Transportation. Baltimore authorities believe at least seven cars fell into the water.
A rescue operation led by firefighters in cooperation with the US Coast Guard is currently ongoing. A diving and rescue team was also sent to search for people. They add that there is a wide area to be searched and that workers were on the bridge when the bridge collapsed.
Chief Kevin Cartwright, director of public affairs for the Baltimore Fire Department, says the bridge was damaged by a “large vessel” causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River.
“All lanes are closed in both directions due to an incident on the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge. Traffic is being diverted, the Maryland Transportation Authority said.
In accordance with BBCwill be a Singapore flagged container ship bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka.
According to the same source, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said he is aware of the incident on the Francis Scott Key Bridge and is in contact with local authorities. He adds that he has declared a “state of emergency” in the city.
“I am aware of the incident on the bridge and am heading towards it. Emergency services are on site and work continues.”
Synergy Marine Group has already reported that its container ship Dali collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. It said that “a single incident response service has now been mobilized.”
According to Reutersthe same ship had another accident in the port Antwerp, Belgium, July 2016. At the time, local authorities said they could not reveal the cause of the collision, but said that it occurred while leaving the container terminal.
In statements that authorities gave to reporters about the clash in Baltimore, they said three boats, a helicopter and several security forces were searching for the missing people.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said the ship’s crew notified authorities of the power problem before the accident. The bridge was in perfect condition and there were no known structural problems, he said.
According to police, there is no evidence of terrorism.