Breaking News: Chaos at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore
A chaotic scene unfolded at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore as a cargo ship collided with the structure, causing it to collapse in the early hours of Tuesday.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with two individuals already rescued from the water. One person emerged unscathed, while the other sustained serious injuries.
"We may be looking for upwards of seven individuals, that's the latest information we have," revealed Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace during a briefing on Tuesday morning.
In response to the crisis, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency. City, state, and federal teams are now converging at the scene to assist with the search and rescue efforts.
Map of the Key Bridge in Baltimore
The Maryland Transportation Authority confirmed the closure of all lanes in both directions on I-695, which spans the Key Bridge. Traffic was redirected to I-95 and I-895 due to the closure.
The collapsed section of the bridge connected Hawkins Point on the south side of the waterway to Dundalk on the north side.
Watch the video of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore
A video captured the moment when the ship, the Singapore-flagged DALI, collided with a bridge support, causing portions of the overpass to fall into the river below.
The ship, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group and chartered by Maersk, was carrying cargo for Maersk customers, as reported by the companies.
Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld mentioned that there were workers conducting concrete repairs on the bridge when the collapse occurred.
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described the collapse as "an unimaginable tragedy."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, their families, and our first responders," he stated. "We must focus on the impacted families and individuals and work towards ensuring their safety."
Stay updated on this developing story with CBS Baltimore's latest updates.
