Major US bridge collapses as cargo ship plows into pylon

Agencies | Baltimore

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A major bridge in the US city of Baltimore collapsed early yesterday after being struck by a container ship, sending multiple vehicles and people plunging into the frigid harbour below.

Dramatic nighttime footage showed a 300-meter vessel hitting a pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, bringing most of the steel-built structure crashing into the Patapsco River within seconds.

Vehicles could be seen on the road surface as the bridge warped and crashed in sections, with the third tranche cantilevering upwards before it, too, tumbled into the water. Rescuers said they were still looking for at least seven people, having pulled two people free.

As daylight broke the extent of the disaster became apparent. Twisted stanchions of steel lay draped over the deck of the ship, on which stacks of containers teetered precariously -- adding further danger to rescue and recovery work.