The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, partially collapsed Tuesday morning, potentially stranding a number of people in the river below, police said.
A spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department told NBC News that the department had been notified of the incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a massive steel structure that carries Interstate 695 across the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge is more than 8,500 feet (1.2 miles) long
“I can confirm at 1:35 a.m., Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse, with workers possibly in the water, at the Francis Scott Key Bridge,” Detective Niki Fennoy said in a statement. Detective Niki Fennoy said in a statement.
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said on X that he was aware of the incident and had spoken with the fire chief, Baltimore’s mayor, and other local officials. “Please pray for those impacted,” he said.
NBC News has contacted the US Coast Guard and other emergency response agencies for more information.
The Maryland Transport Authority confirmed that I-695 was closed because the Key Bridge collapsed due to a “ship strike.”
Built in 1977 and locally known as the Key Bridge, it was later named after the author of the American national anthem. The bridge is more than 8,500 feet (1.2 miles) long. According to the National Steel Bridge Alliance, its main section spans 1,200 feet and, when completed was one of the world’s longest continuous truss bridges.