Video Shows Moment Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses

A bridge that crosses Baltimore's harbor has collapsed into the river after being struck by a cargo ship, sparking a "mass casualty event" in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Part of the ship appeared to erupt into flames when it struck Maryland's Francis Scott Key Bridge, which then collapsed on top of it. Meanwhile, multiple vehicles on the bridge are known to have plummeted into the waters below as the steel bridge crumpled.

Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, described the incident as a "developing mass casualty event," and added: "Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people [...] This is a dire emergency."

Eyewitnesses captured the moment the bridge broke up and crashed down into the Patapsco River.

One video clip, posted by a user on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), has been viewed more than 55,000 times as it shows the ship hitting the bridge. Flames can be seen on the vessel as the structure collapses on top of it and into the river.

Early reports suggested that a rescue attempt was underway to save at least seven people in the water, according to the Associated Press.

Baltimore's mayor, Brandon M. Scott, is on his way to the scene. He posted on X: "I'm aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway."

Matthew West, a petty officer first class for the coastguard in Baltimore, told The New York Times that a Singapore-flagged cargo ship called the Dali had hit the bridge, which is part of Interstate 695.

"All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured," the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X. The agency later added: "MAJOR BALTIMORE TRAFFIC ALERT: AVOID I-695 southeast corridor. I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike. Active scene. Use I-95 or I-895."

Newsweek has reached out by email to the Baltimore Police Department, the Baltimore Fire Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard for further information and comment.

The incident comes just a month after a similar incident in China.

Footage circulating on Chinese social media showed a cargo ship hitting a pillar of the Lixinsha Bridge in the Nansha district of Guangzhou, in February. The impact caused a portion of the bridge to collapse, and sent vehicles tumbling into the water below as well as on to the vessel itself. Two people were confirmed dead following the initial reports, with others missing or injured.