• A large cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and triggering an emergency response.
• At least seven people were believed to be in the water, with one escaping unharmed and the other in “very serious condition.”
• The crew of the ship involved is still onboard, awaiting damage assessment before boarding.

A large cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a major span critical to East Coast shipping, early Tuesday, leading to its collapse and triggering a massive emergency response as at least seven people found themselves in the water. James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, reported at a news conference that the Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed around 1:30 a.m. after being struck by the vessel. The impact sent several vehicles on the bridge plunging into the Patapsco River.

Wallace reported that rescuers pulled two people from the water, with one escaping unharmed while the other remains in “very serious condition.” He mentioned that at least seven individuals were believed to be in the water, although it’s uncertain if this count includes those already rescued.

Wallace stated that the crew aboard the ship involved in the bridge collision is still onboard, awaiting assessment of the vessel for damage before rescuers can board it.

Wallace stated that multiple local, state, and federal agencies are coordinating the massive search, encompassing a vast section of the river—both above and below the water’s surface—as well as the ship itself. Divers, helicopters, and sonar technology are being utilized, and they have located several vehicles submerged in the river.

“This water is current-influenced, so right now we think the tide is coming back in,” he said.

The governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, declared a state of emergency and stated that he is collaborating with an interagency team to “quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration.”

“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said at a news conference.

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