Rescue efforts are currently underway after a large vessel crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday morning, causing a portion of the bridge to collapse and multiple vehicles to fall into the water below. The incident occurred around 1:30am when the Dali, a 948ft Singapore-flagged cargo ship, collided with the bridge, catching fire before sinking. The Maryland Transportation Authority has closed all lanes in both directions on I-695 Key Bridge and traffic is being detoured.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the crash, with Petty Officer First Class Matthew West stating that they received a report of the impact at 1:27am ET. It is still unclear if there are any injuries as a result of the collision. The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a 1.6-mile, 4-lane bridge that extends over the Patapsco River and is a vital link of Interstate-695. The bridge holds historical significance as it is named after Francis Scott Key, who witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, inspiring him to write the words of the "Star Spangled Banner."

The Baltimore City Fire Department and Baltimore Police have not provided additional information at this time. The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.