The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed early Tuesday morning after a cargo ship rammed into one of the supports for the structure.
The bridge collapsed at approximately 1:30 a.m. EDT in what officials on Tuesday called a “catastrophic collapse.” Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said that as of roughly 7:30 a.m. EDT the response to the collapse was still an “active search and rescue mission.”
BREAKING: Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse pic.twitter.com/OcOrSjOCRn
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He confirmed that there were individuals on the bridge when it collapsed, but did not have an official tally. Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge at the time of the collapse were “doing some concrete deck repair.”
Wiedefeld said that while it is still an open investigation, there is “nothing that points” to the cargo ship running into the bridge being intentional.
Officials said earlier Tuesday morning that two people had been rescued from the water, with one person in serious condition. Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace told reporters that while it is uncertain how many people officials are searching for as part of the rescue efforts, it may be “upwards of seven people.”
The 1.6-mile bridge traverses over the Patapsco River. It opened in March 1977 and was part of Interstate 695. The depth of the water below the bridge is approximately 50 feet, according to officials.
The Maryland Department of Transportation is advising drivers to use Interstate 95 or Interstate 895 as a detour.
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) said early on Tuesday that he has been in communication with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as emergency personnel respond to the incident.
“I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore posted on X.
“We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety,” he continued.
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Buttigieg also said he has offered Moore and Scott the department’s support and advised that those in the area should heed “local responder guidance on detours and response.”
The FBI also said it has officials on the scene assisting in the response.