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BALTIMORE − The Francis Scott Key Bridge − a major span critical to East Coast shipping − collapsed early Tuesday after it was struck by a large cargo ship, prompting a massive emergency response for at least seven people in the water.
The Baltimore City Fire Department described the collapse as a mass-casualty incident. “We received several 911 calls at around 1:30 a.m., that a vessel struck the Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing the collapse,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told Reuters. “This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river.”
James Wallace, chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department, said in a news conference that two people were rescued from the water. One was unharmed and the other is in critical condition, he said, adding that seven other are believed to be in the water, noting that number is “subject to change.”
