State of emergency declared in Baltimore after devastating bridge collapse

The governor of Maryland has declared a state of emergency after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore.

Governor Wes Moore shared the news via X on Tuesday (March 26), after the bridge collapsed when a cargo ship struck the structure at about 1:30am local time.

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Shocking footage showed the bridge collapsing into the river below, taking cars and people with it.

Emergency service workers are now working amid freezing conditions to try and save up to 20 people who were reported to be in the water.

James Wallace, Baltimore City Fire Department Fire Chief, has said two people have been rescued and one is in a 'very serious condition'.

Wallace described the incident as 'very large' and with a 'very large footprint'.

"Information is subject to change as we get more intel," he said.

Moore has continually been sharing updates on X in the wake of the incident, assuring his office was in 'close communication' with officials including the US Transportation secretary and the Baltimore City Fire Department as the rescue efforts began.

He declared the state of emergency just hours after the collapse, saying: "I have declared a State of Emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration."

"We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety," Moore continued.

"We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy."

The Maryland Government website explains that a state of emergency is declared to 'allow Maryland to coordinate and request emergency resources and support'.

"A state of emergency allows the Governor to access certain resources, like the National Guard, in order to increase the State's response," it states.

Emergency service workers rushed to the scene after the container ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, struck the bridge as it travelled to Sri Lanka.

Baltimore police commissioner Richard Worley has assured that there is 'absolutely no indication' that the crash was 'intentional'.

"Our criminal intel is working with the FBI and other federal and state agencies to get all the intel that we have," he said in a statement.

Wallace has said crew members of the ship are still on board and are communicating with the coast guard.