The Maryland Transportation Authority reported early Tuesday that the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, USA, collapsed following a collision with a ship.
Posting on social media platform X, the MTA stated, “I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike,” referencing the interstate highway, and advised drivers to avoid the route over the Patapsco River, citing it as an “active scene.”
Earlier, the MTA had announced the closure of interstate lanes in both directions due to an “incident” on the bridge, with traffic being redirected.
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A spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department informed NBC News that there were potential individuals in the river.
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” stated Detective Niki Fennoy.
According to the ship monitoring website MarineTraffic, the Dali, a container ship flagged in Singapore, was seen stopped under the bridge early Tuesday.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. acknowledged the incident, affirming ongoing rescue efforts.
“Please pray for those impacted,” posted Olszewski on X.
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