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Baltimore Bridge Hit and Collapsed with Several Vehicles in the Water

A major Baltimore bridge was hit by a container ship early this morning, causing the structure to collapse and several vehicles to plunge into the water. The ship hit one…

Baltimore bridge collapses after being hit by a cargo ship

FRANCES SCOTT KEY BRIDGE

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A major Baltimore bridge was hit by a container ship early this morning, causing the structure to collapse and several vehicles to plunge into the water.

The ship hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 am.   Several vehicles on the bridge at the time fell into the river, leaving rescuers searching for at least seven people.

The crash caused the ship to burst into flames and the roadway to break apart in several places.

The Baltimore City Fire Department is calling the collapse a "mass casualty incident."

"This is a dire emergency.  Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people," said Kevin Cartwright, director communications for the Baltimore City Fire Department.

The crew and two pilots on the container ship, registered to Grace Ocean Pte Ltd., have all been accounted for and no injuries were reported.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a 1.6 mile, 4-lane bridge that crosses over the Patapsco River.

Mary Liz is the News Director and Co-Host of Augusta’s Morning News on WGAC. She spent 11 years as a News Director at an Indiana Radio Station. She has also worked as a former Police and Courts Reporter for The Republic Newspaper and Assistant Marketing Director of Merchants National Bank in Indianapolis. Mary Liz focuses most on local breaking news stories, feature stories on upcoming events, or community-service related organizations and the people who serve them. She has been with WGAC since 1995.