WASHINGTON, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Governor Wes Moore of the U.S. state of Maryland declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after a bridge in Baltimore was struck by a container ship and partially collapsed.
"I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland," Moore said in a statement in response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which extends over the Patapsco River.
Rescue operations are underway near the wreckage of the bridge. "We believe at this point we may be looking for upwards of seven individuals," Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace told reporters on Tuesday morning.
Two people have been rescued thus far, one being in critical condition, according to reports.
"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "We have to first and foremost pray for all of those impacted."
The U.S. Coast Guard said that it received a report saying a Singapore-flagged containership collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge at 1:27 a.m. (0527 GMT) on Tuesday, and that it is coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies in response to the incident.
U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the White House.
"He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day," the White House said.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which opened to traffic in March 1977, was about 2.6 km long and carried an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually. ■