Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge partially collapsed within the early hours of Tuesday morning following a ship collision, with a number of individuals believed to have fallen in water.

The bridge carries Interstate 695 throughout the Patapsco River, southeast of the Baltimore metropolitan space. The incident happened at 1:35 a.m. native time on Tuesday, in accordance with a Baltimore Metropolis police spokesperson.

A big container ship hit the bridge in a single day, and there seemed to be personnel on the crossing on the time of the incident, Baltimore Fireplace Division Battalion Chief Glenn Kukucka instructed CNBC by cellphone. He added that the vessel concerned within the collision appeared to have sustained injury.

“It is a very giant incident, it entails a really giant footprint,” Baltimore Metropolis Fireplace Division Chief James W. Wallace stated in a press briefing.

He famous that upward of seven individuals are suspected to have fallen within the water presently. Two individuals have been rescued, with one transported to a trauma heart in very severe situation.

The fireplace division chief stated sonar scans had detected the presence of submerged automobiles, however couldn’t disclose the variety of automobiles concerned.

The rescue operation is being encumbered by darkness and water temperature situations, the hearth division chief added.

“The most recent data we’ve got on the crew of the ship is that they nonetheless are on board of the ship,” Wallace stated, including that rescue brokers should first do a injury evaluation of the vessel earlier than having the ability to board. Requested if the ship was struggling any technical impairments, he stated, “We wouldn’t have that data.”

“There’s completely no indication that there was any terrorism, that this was performed on goal,” a Baltimore police spokesperson stated throughout the briefing Tuesday. “There’s completely no indication that this was intentional.”

The vessel that collided with the bridge has been recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

“USCG confirms the ship is the 948-ft DALI vessel. USCG has deployed three response boats, and air pollution responders are en route from the Sector Maryland-Nationwide Capital Area,” the U.S. Coast Guard’s Matthew West instructed NBC Information.

Delivery knowledge signifies that the Singapore-flagged container vessel is beneath the administration of Synergy Marine Group, which didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark. Marine visitors knowledge suggests the ship was sure for Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Maersk later confirmed chartering the vessel.

“We will affirm that the container vessel ‘DALI’, operated by constitution vessel firm Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk prospects’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel have been onboard the vessel,” the corporate stated.

“We’re intently following the investigations performed by authorities and Synergy, and we are going to do our utmost to maintain our prospects knowledgeable.”

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore stated the Dali had a crew of twenty-two on the time of the incident.

“Because the flag state, MPA will present full cooperation to the US Coast Guard in its investigations. MPA may even be investigating the incident,” it stated in a press release.

The workplace of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore stated emergency personnel remained on the scene after the bridge’s collapse.

“I’ve declared a State of Emergency right here in Maryland and we’re working with an interagency staff to rapidly deploy federal assets from the Biden Administration,” the governor stated.

“We are going to stay in shut contact with federal, state, and native entities which are finishing up rescue efforts as we proceed to evaluate and reply to this tragedy.”

Correction: This text has been up to date to mirror that the Francis Scott Key Bridge carries Interstate 695 and crosses the Patapsco River.