The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed early Tuesday after a column was hit by a big container ship, sending an unknown variety of autos and other people into the Patapsco River, authorities stated.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, saying in a press release that “we’re working with an interagency crew to shortly deploy federal assets from the Biden Administration. We’re grateful for the courageous women and men who’re finishing up efforts to rescue these concerned and pray for everybody’s security. We are going to stay in shut contact with federal, state, and native entities which might be finishing up rescue efforts as we proceed to evaluate and reply to this tragedy.”
The Baltimore Metropolis Hearth Division stated as many as 20 folks and a number of autos have been within the water.
Earlier, the division informed CBS Information that at about 1:30 a.m., 911 calls began coming in saying a vessel had hit a bridge column. It was unclear what number of autos have been on the span however “there was absolutely a big tractor-trailer” on it.Â
“There are no less than seven folks” within the river and “the dive and rescue crew has arrived on scene to find the people.”
The division’s communications director, Kevin Cartwright,  described the collapse as “a mass casualty occasion. He informed The Related Press it was a “dire emergency” and a few cargo was apparently dangling from the bridge.
The division stated on its scanner that there was a lot of diesel gas within the water across the ship and that there have been building employees on the bridge pouring concrete on the time.
A Baltimore police spokesperson informed CBS Information there was a “partial bridge collapse, with employees probably within the water.”
NOAA’s Nationwide Information Buoy Heart stated the river water was 48 levels in a single day.
The MidAtlantic Coast Guard informed CBS Information the 948-foot Singapore-flagged cargo ship Dali had struck the bridge. It was apparently en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The Coast Guard stated it has “a number of response models deployed for lively search and rescue as there are reviews of autos within the water.” There was no phrase on any casualties.
Reuters reviews that the ships proprietor, Synergy Marine Group, stated the reason for the collision wasn’t identified however all crew members have been accounted for and there have been no reviews of any accidents to any of them.Â
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott stated on social media that. “I am conscious of and en path to the incident on the Key Bridge. … Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway.”
Baltimore County Government Johnny Olszewski Jr. stated on social media that, “Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for these impacted.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete  Buttigieg stated on social media that he is “spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to supply USDOT’s help following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge. Rescue efforts stay underway and drivers within the Baltimore space ought to observe native responder steerage on detours and response.”
The Maryland Transportation Authority stated all lanes have been closed in each instructions for an incident on I-695 Key Bridge and later posted that visitors was being detoured to I-95 and I-895.
The Patapsco River, which the bridge crossed, is a key waterway that serves with the Port of Baltimore as a hub for East Coast transport.
The bridge is called after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was opened in 1977.