US: Baltimore bridge collapses after hit by ship, rescue operation ongoing to recover seven people

Rescue crews are at the moment looking for seven people in Patapsco River after a number of automobiles collapsed in it following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

The bridge reportedly collapsed after a ship hit a column of it.

A spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department instructed The Baltimore Sun a serious rescue operation was underway with all lanes closed and with all visitors being rerouted from the 1.6-mile metal bridge that’s a part of Interstate 695.

“The complete bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River,” Kevin Cartwright, the director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, instructed the newspaper.

“We have purpose to consider that there have been automobiles and probably a tractor-trailer” that went into the water, Cartwright mentioned.

Several video footage of the ship hitting the bridge have now gone viral on the social media.

All visitors is being detoured, Maryland Transportation Authority was quoted as saying by CNN, and It’s unclear if anybody was injured.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says he’s conscious of the event across the bridge collapse.

“I’m conscious of and en route to the incident on the Key Bridge. I’ve been in touch with @BaltimoreFireChiefWallace,@GovWesMoore@JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” he posted on X.

The four-lane bridge extends over the Patapsco River.

The bridge is 3km (1.6 mile) lengthy.

It is a part of the 695 freeway that circles Baltimore metropolis.