WATCH: Baltimore Bridge Collapse Rescue Underway

BALTIMORE, MD — A container ship rammed into a significant bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing several vehicles to fall into the chilly waters below.

When the ship struck the bridge, it snapped and plunged into the river below; rescuers arrived and searched for survivors.

At the moment, it is not clear what caused the cargo ship to crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. According to reports, two people have been rescued, and it is unclear how many more might be in the water. 

Video footage showed several vehicles on the bridge at the time of the collapse. The crash happened at night, with less busy traffic. 

The footage also shows a crew of unknown size working on the bridge at the time of the collapse and that sonar had detected cars in the water about 50 feet deep. The water temperature was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit before dawn Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The bridge spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a central hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge was named after the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. President Joe Biden was briefed.

The Maryland Transportation Authority announced alternative routes. 

According to Marine Traffic data, the ship was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag. According to the website, the container ship is about 985 feet (300 meters) long and about 157 feet (48 meters) wide.

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