Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse after ship strike; 6 unaccounted for amid search and rescue operation

BALTIMORE, Md. — A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday after losing propulsion, causing a “catastrophic collapse,” sending vehicles and people into the water, officials in Maryland said.

Six people remain unaccounted for as the desperate search continues at the site of the bridge collapse, Coast Guard officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference. Five submerged vehicles have also been found in the water, Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace told CNN.

Authorities have been able to find three passenger vehicles, a cement truck and a fifth vehicle submerged in the water using infrared and side-scan sonar technology, according to Wallace.

“At this time, it is an active search and rescue mission,” said Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld. “We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge.”

Up to eight dive teams were in the water performing search and rescue operations, Wallace added, noting he’s unsure if the fifth car is a passenger or work vehicle.

Two were rescued, including one who was hospitalized, officials said. Construction workers were on the bridge working on potholes at the time of the collapse, Governor Wes Moore said. One of those people is said to be in very serious condition and the other person did not need medical treatment.

What to know about the collapse

The collapse appears to be an accident and there’s nothing to suggest ties to terrorism, according to officials.

“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” the Baltimore Police Department said in a statement. Officials have since said the bridge has “fully collapsed.”

The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred “due to ship strike.” The bridge was up to code, officials also said.

The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said.

Many of those unaccounted for are said to be construction workers who were fixing potholes on the bridge at the time of the incident.

Response boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Curtis Bay and Annapolis have crews deployed to the incident for active search and rescue, according to USCG. A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and Coast Guard investigators and pollution responders are also en route to the incident.

“An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast is issued regarding the incident and there has been a 2000-yard safety zone issued for the surrounding waters. Mariners are urged to avoid the area,” USCG said.

“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”

Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said, though he said it’s too early to know how many people were affected. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”

He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge.

He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.

The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says

An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.

The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.

“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and a collision with the bridge was possible,” the report said. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”

The container ship was moving at 8 knots, which is considered fast, officials noted.

The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.

The 948-foot container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m., according to a ship-tracking company.

“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.

The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.

The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.

‘No indications this was an intentional act,’ Mayorkas says

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said “there are no indications this was an intentional act,” adding, “we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore.”

“Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured,” he said.

Detours and logistics

Drivers are being told to avoid the I-695 southeast corridor and use I-95 and I-895 as alternatives.

“I-695 is being detoured southbound at exit 43 (Peninsula Expressway) and northbound at Exit 2 (Route 10),” Wiedefeld said.

Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore is suspended until further notice, however, officials said the port is still open for truck transactions.

The Patapsco River channel is fully blocked, with approximately five inbound and seven outbound vessels in the queue for the next 24 hours, according to the memo.

The bridge, which is part of Interstate 695, opened in 1977 and crosses the Patapsco River in Baltimore’s harbor. It is a vital artery, that along with the Port of Baltimore, is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.

RELATED: The history of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge

It is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Last year, more than 12 million cars traversed over the bridge, according to ABC News.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

Governor declares state of emergency

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse.

“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.

White House ‘closely monitoring’ bridge collapse

The White House said early Tuesday it was “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore, where a cargo ship struck a major bridge.

“Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident,” a White House official said.

There was no indication of “any nefarious intent,” an official said.

ALSO SEE: A list of major US bridge collapses caused by ships and barges

President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the collapse and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.

Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg also said he has spoken to Maryland’s governor and Baltimore’s mayor, offering USDOT support.

FBI Baltimore personnel are also at the scene to assist.

“We are aware of the incident in Baltimore. The priority is ensuring the safety of those affected as a search and rescue operation is underway. We expect an investigation report will be submitted to IMO in due course,” the International Maritime Organization said in a statement.

In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

ABC News and The Associated Press contributed to this story.