Authorities are looking for at least 20 people who fell into the river after a ship collided with a bridge pillar in the USA – World

The bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, measuring approximately 2.57 kilometers, collapsed in the early hours of this Tuesday, after a cargo ship collided with it, according to news reports. BBC News.

Baltimore police were notified of a partial bridge collapse around 1:30 a.m. There are no reports of victims, but authorities are looking for at least 20 people and several vehicles that may have fallen into the river.

A rescue operation led by firefighters in collaboration with the US Coast Guard is currently underway. A diving and rescue team was also sent to locate the people.

Chief Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, says the bridge was struck by “a large vessel,” causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River.

“All lanes are closed in both directions due to an incident on the I-695 Francis Scott Key Bridge. Traffic is being diverted,” the Maryland Transportation Authority said.

According to BBCwill be a container ship, flying the Singapore flag and would be on its way to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

According to the same source, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott says he is aware of the incident on the Francis Scott Key Bridge and is in contact with local authorities.

“I am aware of and en route to the incident on the bridge. Emergency personnel are on scene and efforts are ongoing.”

The ‘Synergy Marine Group’ has already reported that its container ship “Dali” collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Rere that “has now mobilized its qualified individual incident response service”.