Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore Collapses, Many Casualties Feared.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in the US city of Baltimore has partially collapsed into the Patapsco River after a ship collided with it. Media reports said the vessel crashed into the bridge at about 1:30am (05:30 GMT).

According to Baltimore City Fire Department about 20 people are feared to be in the water during the incident. 

Reports also noted that multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.

Multiple Vehicles on Bridge During the Time of Collapse

The Director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, Kevin Cartwright, said that emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water.

He added that agencies received 911 calls at about 1:30am reported that a vessel travelling outbound from Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge, leading to its collapse.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright said.

Ship Crew Members Accounted for

As anticipated, Synergy Marine Group has issued a statement on the ship’s collision with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

The company reported that all crew members, including the two pilots, had been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be discovered, the ‘Dali’ has now mobilised its Qualified Individual Incident response service,” the statement added.

Who is the Bridge Named After?

Francis Scott Key was a US lawyer known as the author of the country’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Key was born on August 1, 1779 in Frederick county, Maryland, and died on January 11, 1843 in Baltimore.

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