Baltimore bridge collapses after ship strikes it, rescuers searching ...

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

"We do believe at least seven," Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore Fire Department said in response to a reporter's question about how many people are unaccounted for.

Wallace, at an early morning news conference, said two people were rescued from the water, one who didn't require medical attention, and another person who was transported to a local hospital.

Wallace said divers, as well as sonar and infrared technologies are being utilized in the search. Sonar has detected the presence of vehicles below the water's surface, he said. There were unconfirmed reports of workers being on the bridge at the time of the collapse, he said.

WATCH l Unverified video of the Francis Key Scott Bridge collapsing:

The temperature in the river was about 8 C in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The vessel appears to have hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in several places and plunge into the water, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

"This is a dire emergency," Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press earlier. "Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people."

Cartwright said some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River, a vital artery that along with the Port of Baltimore is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.

Agencies received emergency calls around 1:40 a.m. ET reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge, according to Cartwright.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

The ship was called "Dali," according to Cartwright. A ship by that name was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder.

The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.

Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Corley said there was "absolutely no indication" the contact was intentional.

Officials said that the U.S. Coast Guard were in contact with the ship's crew.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said on social media that his office was in communication with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who confirmed those consultations himself.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in 1977, named for the writer of The Star Spangled Banner. 

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.

"All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured," the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.

Scott at the news conference refused to speculate as to how long it would take to rebuild the bridge in response to a question, saying the focus should be on searching for any people who are missing.