Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore: Search underway for missing persons

The Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed on Tuesday morning Greenwich Time. This happened shortly after a container ship collided with one of the bridge's supports, reported Fox News. It is not yet known if there are any victims, but authorities are searching for at least seven people.

- The entire bridge fell into the Patapsco River, said Kevin Cartwright, Communication Director at the Baltimore Fire Department, quoted by "The Baltimore Sun".

Local station WTOP news reported that "many vehicles" on the bridge plunged into the water following the collision. According to a video published on the X platform, the ship caught fire and then sank. Rescue operations are in progress.

Cartwright confirmed that at the time of the disaster, there were passenger cars and a truck on the bridge. Authorities emphasize their ongoing search for at least seven missing individuals. However, the total number of vehicles on the bridge at the time remains unknown.

The bridge, constructed in the 1970s, had a main span of approximately 366 meters long, with the total length being roughly 2,630 meters. Over 11 million vehicles used it annually.

The bridge was a key section of Interstate 695, which serves as a bypass encircling Baltimore. The I-695 route is popularly known as the Baltimore Beltway.