The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has collapsed after being struck by a container ship, rescue services have said.
A Baltimore City Fire Department spokesperson said the bridge over the Patapsco River collapsed in the early hours of the morning (26 March).
According to the fire department, 'as many as seven individuals and several vehicles' have fallen into the river.
The BBC reports that about 1:30am local time someone placed a 911 call reporting an incident with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and the Baltimore City Fire Department confirmed that the bridge had been struck by 'a large vessel' which caused it to collapse into the river.
It has since reported that a spokesperson for the Baltimore City Fire Department has said the bridge collapse is a 'mass casualty event', though did not at the time provide further information on the number of casualties.
Multiple rescue agencies are on the scene with the fire department taking the lead and being assisted by the US Coastguard.
With the bridge collapsed traffic has been diverted around to avoid the area.
At present there have not been reports of casualty numbers, but the fire department has said seven people and multiple vehicles have gone into the water.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge was opened in 1977 and was named for Francis Scott Key, the author of the US national anthem, construction began on the bridge in 1972.
Footage of the incident appears to show a container ship striking one of the bridge's supports, and within seconds the structure had completely collapsed into the water.
On social media Baltimore County executive Johnny Olszewski Jr said: "I am aware of the situation at the Key Bridge and remain in regular communication with my Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Operations.
"Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted."
Brandon M Scott, the city's mayor, said he was 'en route' to the bridge and had been in contact with officials running the rescue operation.
According to ship tracking data, the vessel which struck the bridge was a Singaporean container ship called the Dali.
The ship had departed from Baltimore and been heading towards Colombo, Sri Lanka, when it struck the bridge.
The cargo ship is 300 metres long and appears to have departed from Point Breeze, Baltimore at around 12:45am local time before colliding with the bridge some 45 minutes later.
LADbible has contacted the Baltimore City Fire Department and US Coast Guard for further updates.
Featured Image Credit: X/@sentdefenderTopics: US News, Baltimore bridge
Joe Harker