Baltimore, March 26: A portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a large boat collided with it early Tuesday morning, and multiple vehicles fell into the water. Authorities were trying to rescue at least seven people. A large vessel crashed into the bridge, catching on fire before sinking and causing multiple vehicles to fall into the Patapsco River, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

슬롯사이트œAll lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,슬롯사이트� the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X. Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway. Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press around 3 a.m. US Bridge Collapse: Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Collapses After Container Ship Hits It, Dramatic Video Footage Surfaces

He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting a vessel travelling outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse. Multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer. 슬롯사이트œOur focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,슬롯사이트� Cartwright said. He said it's too early to know how many people were affected but called the collapse a 슬롯사이트œdeveloping mass casualty event.슬롯사이트� US Bridge Collapse: Casualties Feared as Nearly 20 Construction Workers, Vehicles Were on Francis Scott Key Bridge When It Collapsed Into River After Being Struck by Cargo Ship (Watch Video)

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

Cartwright said it appears there are 슬롯사이트œsome cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge,슬롯사이트� creating unsafe and unstable conditions, and that emergency responders are operating cautiously as a result. 슬롯사이트œThis is a dire emergency,슬롯사이트� he said. The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977.