BALTIMORE (AP) — A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a big boat collided with it early Tuesday morning, and a number of automobiles fell into the water. Authorities have been attempting to rescue at the least seven folks.
A big vessel crashed into the bridge, catching on hearth earlier than sinking and inflicting a number of automobiles to fall into the Patapsco River, in response to a video posted on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
“All lanes closed each instructions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Site visitors is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Govt Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel have been responding and rescue efforts have been underway.
Emergency responders have been looking for at the least seven folks believed to be within the water, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Hearth Division, instructed The Related Press round 3 a.m.
He mentioned companies acquired 911 calls round 1:30 a.m. reporting a vessel touring outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, inflicting it to break down. A number of automobiles have been on the bridge on the time, together with one the dimensions of a tractor-trailer.
“Our focus proper now could be attempting to rescue and recuperate these folks,” Cartwright mentioned. He mentioned it’s too early to know the way many individuals have been affected however referred to as the collapse a “growing mass casualty occasion.”
Cartwright mentioned it seems there are “some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge,” creating unsafe and unstable situations, and that emergency responders are working cautiously in consequence.
“This can be a dire emergency,” he mentioned.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977.
The Related Press
