On Tuesday morning, a cargo ship collided with a major bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, causing it to break at multiple points and subsequently sink into the river.

Multiple vehicles fell into the water, and rescue teams are searching for at least seven people. According to firefighters, two people were rescued from the waters beneath the Francis Scott Key Bridge, one of them in critical condition.

During the night, the cargo ship apparently impacted one of the bridge's pillars, at a time when reduced traffic was anticipated. As a result, the vessel caught fire, generating a dense column of black smoke that rose from it.

"You would never think you'd see, physically, the Key Bridge collapse like this. It looked like something out of an action movie," said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, describing it as "an unthinkable tragedy."

We are closely monitoring the tragic situation unfolding as a result of a containership colliding with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured. (1/2)

— Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (@SecMayorkas) March 26, 2024

The fire chief said authorities "could be looking for about seven people," but that number could change. It was unclear if the two rescued individuals were among the seven.

According to sonar data, vehicles have been detected in the water, in an environment where the temperature was around approximately 47 degrees Fahrenheit during the early hours of Tuesday.

The Baltimore Fire Department reported that several vehicles, including one of similar size to a tractor-trailer, were on the bridge at the time of the incident.

#Praying for Baltimore, Atleast 20 people missing in Francis Scott Key Bridge on I-695 Collapse
This is disheartening 💔#BaltimoreBridge #BaltimoreBridgeCollapse #bridgecollapse #bridge pic.twitter.com/uNH4ybGc4h

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧💀 (@TheUltronAi) March 26, 2024

Although the collision occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, a video captured moments before the ship's impact on the bridge, showing several cars crossing and then falling into the water as the structure bent.

Synergy Marine Group, the company owning and managing the ship named "Dali," has confirmed that the vessel struck a bridge pillar around 1:30 a.m., while two pilots were in command. It has been reported that all crew members, including the pilots, are safe and there are no reports of injuries. According to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder data, the "Dali" was en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination. Additionally, it has been mentioned that the ship was sailing under the flag of Singapore, according to Coast Guard Seaman Matthew West of the Baltimore Coast Guard, quoted by radio station WTOP.

HOLY SH*T!

Our supposed "friends" from Ukraine are enjoying the news of 20 Americans missing after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. They are claiming it's punishment for not sending them more billions of our tax dollars.

These are the people Biden… pic.twitter.com/8I5BgG35XN

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) March 26, 2024

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. reported that emergency personnel were responding and that rescue efforts were underway. More information in progress.