A major bridge in Baltimore, Md., collapsed early Tuesday morning after it was hit by a container ship, sending cars into the Patapsco River and sparking a search-and-rescue mission in a horrific scene that had the eyes of the nation fixed on the unfolding tragedy.

The Key Bridge was part of I-695 and was completed in 1977 and named for Francis Scott Key, who wrote the Star Spangled Banner near the same spot in the river. The bridge was 1.6 miles long.

Early Tuesday, six construction workers who were repairing potholes on the bridge at the time of the collapse were still missing. Two workers had been rescued, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Emergency crews were searching for survivors.

Video of the incident shows the lights on a container ship flickering on and off as dark smoke billows from its stack moments before it collides with a support structure. Within seconds, the bridge collapses into the river at about 1:20 a.m. local time.

In 2023, the bridge carried an average of 34,000 vehicles a day for a total of 12.4 million for the year, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issued a statement Tuesday saying he was in close contact with local and national officials. He declared a state of emergency.

“We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety,” Moore said. “We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy.”

U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin told The Baltimore Sun that “what’s been indicated is the vessel lost power, and when you lose power you lose steering.”

“But they’re doing a full investigation,” he said.

The tragedy could have been much worse, Moore said at a news conference. That’s because the ship’s crew issued a “mayday” signal, thus allowing Maryland Transportation Authority Police on the bridge above to prevent other cars from driving onto it.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said Tuesday morning. “They saved lives last night.”

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott urged the public to pray.

“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Scott said at a news conference. “We have to, first and foremost pray for all of those who are impacted, those families, pray for our first responders and thank them -- all of them working together.”

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