Update: Baltimore Bridge Collapse After Boxship Collision

A bridge in Baltimore, USA, has completely fallen into the Patapsco River following a collision with a container ship.

The Baltimore City Fire Department, which is presently on the scene, reports that approximately 20 individuals and multiple vehicles were plunged into the river as a result.

According to the fire department, the incident occurred when a sizable ship struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 01:30 ET.

Social media videos show the bridge fully submerged in the water. There have been casualties reported, and a significant multi-agency search and rescue operation is currently in progress.

MarineTraffic, the vessel tracking service, indicates heavy traffic congestion near the bridge, with a notable increase in the number of ships anchored further south, between Annapolis and Kent Island.

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore, known as the largest port in the US for specialized (notably wheeled) cargo and bulk handling, saw approximately 800,000 vehicles and a record 1.3 million tons of imported cargo pass through in 2023.