Major Baltimore bridge collapses after being hit by ship

A major bridge in the US city of Baltimore has collapsed into the Patapsco River after a container ship crashed into it.

The bridge snapped and plunged into the water at around 01:30 ET (05:30 GMT) along with vehicles and people
A huge search operation is under way for at least seven people, authorities say, while two people have been pulled from the water.

The ship is now wedged into debris from the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which is 3km (1.6 miles) long and part of a major highway.

Some construction workers were on the bridge at the time it collapsed, the city's mayor says, adding that the incident is "an unspeakable tragedy".

Sonar has detected multiple vehicles underwater, where the temperature is around 8C (47F).

There is no indication the crash was intentional but it is too early to determine what caused it, officials say.

The port of Baltimore near the bridge is the largest in the US for specialised cargo.

(BBC)