Bridge collapses in US after shipwreck, at least seven people are being searched for in the water

A part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US, collapsed after a large boat crashed into it early Tuesday morning, sending several vehicles into the water. Authorities tried to rescue at least seven people, UNN reports with reference to AP.

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According to a video posted on X, a large vessel crashed into a bridge, burst into flames, and then sank, causing several vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River.

"All lanes have been closed in both directions due to an incident on the I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is blocked," the Maryland Transportation Administration reported on X.

The city and county authorities reported that emergency personnel had already responded and rescue efforts were underway.

Rescuers were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Kevin Cartwright, public affairs director for the Baltimore Fire Department, told the Associated Press around 3 a.m. local time.

He said that at about 1:30 a.m. local time, 911 calls were received reporting that a ship traveling from Baltimore had hit a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse. At the time, there were several vehicles on the bridge, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.

"Our goal now is to try to save these people," Cartwright said.

He added that it was too early to say how many people were injured, but called the collapse "an evolving event with mass casualties.

Cartwright said that, apparently, "there are some loads or holders hanging from the bridge," creating dangerous and unstable conditions, and as a result, emergency services are proceeding cautiously.

"This is an emergency situation," he said.

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The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977.