BREAKING NEWS : Part of a bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a ship crashed into it, and there’s worry that many people may be seriously hurt or killed.

Large sections of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, USA, collapsed early Tuesday, apparently struck by a large container ship. The incident happened around 1:30 am local time. The Baltimore City Fire Department termed it a ‘mass-casualty incident’, with reports indicating multiple vehicles plunging into the river below. Rescue teams were searching for at least seven individuals in the water.

Some media outlets reported that approximately 20 construction workers were present on the Baltimore bridge during the incident. A widely circulated video on social media captured the moment when the 3 km (1.6 miles) long bridge collapsed.

According to the footage, the vessel seemed to have collided with one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to fracture in multiple areas and fall into the water.

The ship caught fire and seemed to sink. Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, the registered owner of the vessel, and its manager, Synergy Marine Group, stated that their Singapore-flagged container ship ‘Dali’ collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.

“While the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the ‘Dali’ has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service,” the statement read, adding that all crew members, including the two pilots aboard, have been located, and there are no reports of injuries. Meanwhile, local traffic authorities announced the closure of all lanes in both directions due to the incident.

“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority announced. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency following the bridge collapse.

The bridge, inaugurated in 1977, spans the Patapsco River, a crucial waterway that, along with the Port of Baltimore, serves as a major shipping hub on the East Coast. It is named after the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”