Baltimore’s 1.6-mile, 2.57km, Francis Scott Key Bridge was built out of steel and opened in 1977. With four lanes, the bridge is part of Interstate 695 and served as a major route along the ring road that encircles the city in the US state of Maryland, according to The Guardian.
It is named after the author of the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
Live video posted on YouTubeshowed the ship ploughing into the bridge in darkness, with its main section collapsing into the Patapsco River below.
Several vehicles fell into the water, and rescuers were searching for at least seven people.
Ship-tracking data showed a Singapore-flagged container ship, the Dali, at the location of the bridge where the accident occurred at about 1.30am ET, 0500 GMT, on Tuesday.
Calls to the emergency services reported the vessel had been travelling outbound from Baltimore.
The Dali, a 290-metre (948ft) cargo vessel, left Baltimore at 1am and was headed for the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, according to the maritime data platform MarineTraffic. The shipping company Maersk said it chartered the vessel.
Reuters cited the manager of the ship, Synergy Marine Group, as saying the crew, including the two pilots, had been accounted for and there were no reports of injuries onboard.
The harbour is one of the busiest in the country and an important hub for shipping on the US east coast, especially in transporting road vehicles. It also handles farming, construction machinery and coal, according to a Maryland government website.
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Port traffic was suspended until further notice following the bridge collapse.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Baltimore, officials said in an update. Two people have been rescued, with one of them “severely” injured.
In a press conference, James Wallace, chief of Baltimore’s fire department, said “at least seven” vehicles fell into the water.
The tide is adding a challenge for rescue efforts, he said, noting that rescuers are battling darkness and it’s possible some people have yet to be seen.
Different agencies are present on the ground to bring equipment to cover a large search area, he noted.
