A significant commuter bridge in Baltimore collapsed following a collision with a container ship, leading to vehicles plunging into the water and posing a threat to the operations of one of the most crucial ports on the US East Coast. Chief Wallace confirmed that two individuals were rescued, but the search continues for others possibly stranded in the water.

The incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurred early Tuesday, causing significant disruption to shipping activities at one of the busiest ports on the US East Coast and creating traffic chaos due to the severed link on the major highway encircling Baltimore.

The container ship involved in the collision is named the Dali and sails under the flag of Singapore. Built in 2015, the 32,000-ton vessel was carrying approximately 4,900 containers at the time of the accident. Executives from its management company, Synergy Marine, are en route to assess the situation. The ship is chartered to A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, a container shipping company based in Copenhagen.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency, with the White House monitoring the situation. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg offered support for the ongoing rescue efforts.

The extended shutdown of the bridge is expected to cause travel disruptions, especially with the Easter holiday weekend approaching, on the heavily congested corridor between New York and Washington, DC.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge serves as a crucial entry point for commercial ships into the Port of Baltimore, one of the leading ports in the US in terms of cargo volume and value. It is particularly notable as the largest port for handling cars and light trucks in the country.

Concerns arise regarding the movement of vessels in the vicinity of the collapsed bridge, with approximately 21 vessels located to the west of the site. This includes tugs, bulk carriers, a vehicle carrier, and a small tanker, raising questions about their ability to navigate the area safely.