The Francis Scott Key Bridge in the United States city of Baltimore reportedly collapsed after a ship collided with it.
According to AFP, the Maryland Transportation Authority disclosed this early Tuesday.
“I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike,” the MTA posted on social media platform X, referring to the interstate highway. It urged drivers to avoid the route over the Patapsco River, which it called an ‘active scene’.
The MTA had earlier said interstate lanes in both directions were closed due to an “incident” on the bridge and that traffic was being redirected.
A police spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department told NBC News that people were possibly in the river.
“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,” Detective Niki Fennoy said in a statement.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scoot and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr both said they were aware of the incident and that rescue efforts were underway.
“Please pray for those impacted,” Olszewski posted on X.
