Two rescued, several missing after vehicles plunge into water

A container ship struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday after losing propulsion, causing a “catastrophic collapse,” sending vehicles and people into the water.

“At this time, it is an active search and rescue mission,” said Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld. “We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge.”

Officials said two people were rescued, with one of those people said to be in very serious condition. The other person did not need medical treatment. The Maryland Transportation Authority said the collapse occurred due to ship strike. The US Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse.

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water.

Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire

Department said. Divers were searching for at least seven people in the water, the department said.

The 1.6-mile bridge spans the Patapsco River in southern Baltimore, in the east of the US. Videos shared on social media showed multiple vehicles falling into the river after the collision.

The mayor of Baltimore said emergency personnel were on scene and rescue efforts were underway.

“Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X. People were possibly in the river after the collapse, a police spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department told NBC News.