BALTIMORE (AP) – A container ship rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early today, causing it to snap and plunge into the river below. A video recorded the bridge collapse. The operators of the ship lost power and issued a mayday call moments before the vessel struck the bridge. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers searched for survivors. Two people were rescued and it was not clear how many more might be in the water. The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to snap and buckle at several points and tumble into the water in a matter of seconds. Synergy Marine Group , which owns and manages the ship, called the Dali, confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while in control of one or more pilots, who are local specialists who help navigate vessels safely into ports. It said all crew members, including the two pilots on board, were accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.
