A massive bridge has collapsed after being struck by a container ship.
Footage shows a 1.6 mile-long part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge falling into river in Baltimore after it was hit by the ship. The collapse happened at around 1.30am local time (5.30am UK time).
Chief Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department has described the event as a “developing mass casualty event”. He added: "This is a dire emergency".
Baltimore Governor Wes Moore has declared a State of Emergency. Two people have so far been recovered from the water - one who was uninjured and another who was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has said he is on his way to the scene and underwater search vehicles have been deployed as part of the rescue. Chief Cartwright has said up to 20 people could be in the water.
FBI opens criminal investigation into Baltimore Key Bridge collapse
Read more: Baltimore bridge collapse LIVE: Francis Scott Key Bridge falls into river with people missing
The state of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Maryland (Hayward Jablomi/Twitter)“We understand up to 20 individuals may be in the Patapsco River right now as well as multiple vehicles,” he told CNN.
A spokesperson for Baltimore Police Department told NBC News: "I can confirm at 1.35am, Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water".
Fire crews have reported they are cutting electricity to the bridge. Underwater search crews have been deployed with rescuers warned to stay clear of other parts of the bridge which could be unstable.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge rests partially collapsed after a container ship ran into it (JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)It is the longest bridge in the Baltimore metropolitan area.he ship has caught fire, with thick, black smoke billowing out of it.
County Executive Johnny Olszewski said: "We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge.
"I remain in contact with our emergency response team as well as state and local partners, including Mayor Brandon M. Scott and County Executive Steuart Pittman. Response efforts are ongoing.
"Our prayers remain with all those impacted."
The moment the bridge begins to collapse (X)Significant police, coast guard and private helicopter activity in the area around the bridge following the collapse.
The container ship that hit the bridge has been identified as Singapore-flagged ship the Dali and was heading to to Colombo in Sri Lanka at the time of the collision.
Horror moment huge bridge falls into river with multiple people missing in water
“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy.”
Remains of the bridge jutting out of the river (X)Originally known as the Outer Harbor Crossing, the bridge was renamed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 1976, while still under construction. The steel arch-shaped continuous through truss bridge's main span of 1,200 ft was the third longest span of any continuous truss in the world. It was named after amateur poet Francis Scott Key, the author behind the American national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
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