Six construction workers who were on a bridge in Baltimore remain missing after a container ship rammed into the bridge and sent it crashing into a river, authorities in the north-eastern US city say.
But they say more casualties were prevented after the ship sent a mayday call, prompting authorities to warn traffic not to drive onto the bridge.
Two construction workers were pulled from the water after the 2.6-kilometre Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in the early hours of Tuesday (local time).
Earlier reports suggested sonar technology had also detected cars in the river. But when asked if authorities believed vehicles had fallen into the water when the bridge collapsed, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld indicated only the construction crew may have been on the bridge at the time.
Governor Wes Moore said: “We’re thankful that between the mayday and the collapse, that we had officials who were able to to begin to stop the flow of traffic so more cars were not on the bridge.”
Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said of the two people rescued so far, one is in a serious condition and the other is not seriously injured.
“We are still very much in an active search and rescue posture at this point and we will continue to be for some time we have a large area to search,” he said.
The governor has declared a state of emergency.
A live video posted on YouTube showed the ship ploughing into the bridge in darkness. What appeared to be the headlights of vehicles could be seen on the bridge as it crashed down into the water and the ship caught fire. Reuters could not immediately verify the videos.
Baltimore police said they had been notified of the incident at 1:35am local time (3.35pm AEST).
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M Scott told the media: “This is an unthinkable tragedy.”
“Never would you think you could see the key bridge tumble like that, it looked like something out of an action movie and you just think about… nothing but those families and people impacted and people risking their lives right now to try to save lives,” he said.
“We will continue to work in partnership with every part of government to do everything that we can to get us through the other side of this tragedy.”
Data from marine tracking websites show the vessel involved is the Singaporean-flagged container ship Dali, which had left Baltimore’s Point Breeze before the collision occurred.
Synergy Marine Group, which owns the Dali, confirmed the ship had collided with a pillar of the bridge.
“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the Dali has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service,” it said, adding that all crew members, including the two pilots who were aboard, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.
The Dali was scheduled to sail on shipping company Maersk’s route to Colombo in Sri Lanka, the Danish company’s website showed.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977 and spans the Patapsco River, a vital artery that along with the Port of Baltimore is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.
The port’s private and public terminals handled 847,158 cars and light trucks in 2023, the most of any US port. The port also handles farm and construction machinery, sugar, gypsum and coal, according to a Maryland government website.
The bridge is named after the writer of the US national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner.
Six development laborers who were on a scaffold in Baltimore stay missing after a compartment transport smashed into the extension and sent it colliding with a stream, experts in the north-eastern US city say.
However, they say more setbacks were forestalled after the boat sent a mayday call, provoking specialists to caution traffic not to drive onto the scaffold.
Two development laborers were pulled from the water after the 2.6-kilometer Francis Scott Key Extension imploded into the Patapsco Stream in the early long periods of Tuesday (neighborhood time).
Prior reports proposed sonar innovation had additionally identified vehicles in the stream. However, when inquired as to whether specialists accepted vehicles had fallen into the water when the scaffold imploded, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld showed just the development team might have been on the extension at that point.
Lead representative Wes Moore said: “We’re grateful that between the mayday and the breakdown, that we had authorities who had the option to start to stop the progression of traffic so more vehicles were not on the scaffold.”
Baltimore Local group of fire-fighters Boss James Wallace said of the two individuals safeguarded up to this point, one is in a difficult condition and the other isn’t genuinely harmed.
“We are still a lot of in a functioning pursuit and salvage pose right now and we will keep on being for quite a while we have a huge region to look,” he said.
The lead representative has pronounced a highly sensitive situation.
A live video posted on YouTube showed the boat blasting through the extension in haziness. What seemed, by all accounts, to be the headlights of vehicles should have been visible on the scaffold as it crashed down into the water and the boat burst into flames. Reuters couldn’t quickly confirm the recordings.
Baltimore police said they had been told of the occurrence at 1:35am nearby time (3.35pm AEST).
Baltimore City chairman Brandon M Scott told the media: “This is an unfathomable misfortune.”
“Never would you figure you could see the key extension tumble like that, it seemed to be an out thing of an activity film and you simply contemplate… only those families and individuals influenced and individuals putting their lives in danger right now to attempt to save lives,” he said.
“We will keep on working in association with all aspects of government to give our best for help us through the opposite side of this misfortune.”
Information from marine following sites show the vessel included is the Singaporean-hailed compartment transport Dali, which had left Baltimore’s Point Breeze before the impact happened.
Collaboration Marine Gathering, which possesses the Dali, affirmed the boat had slammed into a mainstay of the extension.
“While the specific reason for the occurrence is still up in the air, the Dali has now prepared its Certified Individual Episode reaction administration,” it said, adding that all group individuals, including the two pilots who were on board, have been represented and there are no reports of any wounds.
The Dali was planned to cruise on transportation organization Maersk’s course to Colombo in Sri Lanka, the Danish organization’s site showed.
The Francis Scott Key Extension opened in 1977 and ranges the Patapsco Waterway, a fundamental course that alongside the Port of Baltimore is a center point for transportation on the East Coast.
The port’s private and public terminals dealt with 847,158 vehicles and light trucks in 2023, the vast majority of any US port. The port likewise handles homestead and development hardware, sugar, gypsum and coal, as indicated by a Maryland government site.
The scaffold is named after the essayist of the US public song of devotion The Star-Radiant Flag.