Key Bridge collapses into Patapsco River in Baltimore after vessel hits support column; state of emergency declared

Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning after a support column was struck by a vessel, sending cars and at least one tractor-trailer into the Patapsco River and prompting Gov. Wes Moore to declare a state of emergency.

A spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department said a major rescue operation was underway with all lanes closed and with all traffic being rerouted from the 1.6-mile steel bridge that is part of Interstate 695.

A spokesman for the U.S. Coast Guard said the 948-foot cargo ship Dali struck the bridge at approximately 1:20 a.m. In video from the incident, black smoke can be seen from the vessel.

West said he had no additional information on the Dali, a Singapore-flagged ship, including whether officials had been in contact with the ship since the collision or its current status.

Read more: The Baltimore Sun