Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

A tragic incident unfold in Baltimore, as iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into Patapsco River after a main pillar was struck by a cargo ship.

The 1.6-mile-long bridge can be seen in video footage collapsing into the river after the collision. Rescue efforts are ongoing.

“Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike. Active scene,” the Maryland Transportation Authority said in a post on X. It added that traffic was being detoured from the I-695 highway.

The bridge was completed in 1977. It spans a wide section of the Patapsco River in southern Baltimore on the US east coast.

The incident took place at 1:35 a.m. local time, according to Baltimore police.

The mayor of Baltimore said emergency personnel were on scene and rescue efforts were underway.

“Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X.

Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, The Associated Press news agency reported.

Multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time of collision.

After the incident, the Synergy Marine Group confirmed that its Singapore-flagged vessel Dali with two pilots onboard collided with one of the bridge’s pillars, according to Reuters.

There were no injuries onboard, a Synergy statement said.