DRIFTING TO DISASTER
Shock vid shows Baltimore’s Dali cargo ship ‘lose POWER’ & ‘gush smoke’ before crash collapses Francis Scott Key Bridge
At least seven be are missing, police say
TERRIFYING footage captures the moment a cargo ship appears to lose power, blackout and spew smoke before it smashed into Baltimore's Key Bridge.
Cars plunged into the ice cold water and a frantic search and rescue operation is still underway following the horror that unfolded early this morning.
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The dramatic footage reveals the key moments before the 1.6 mile bridge snapped and fell into the water at around 1.30am local time (5.30am GMT).
The Dali cargo ship, flying the flag of Singapore, had only just left the Port of Baltimore, setting sail for its 27-day voyage to Sri Lanka, when tragedy struck.
The heavily laden vessel collided with one of The Francis Scott Key Bridge's support piers in what local officials described as a scene out of a horror movie.
A level-one mass casualty event has been declared - with dive teams frantically searching for around 20 people believed to be in the water.
But chilling footage has now surfaced showing how the Dali went completely dark in the seconds before it hit the bridge - with all its lights turning off at once.
Then after the possible power loss, the vessel suddenly began billowing thick black smoke.
A second later and the Dali had turned head-on into the bridge's steel beam, breaking the $141million (£111million) structure apart.
The cause of the crash is "yet to be determined", the ship's managers said.
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The headlights of vehicles could be seen on the bridge as it crashed into the water and the ship caught fire.
Baltimore officials said at least seven vehicles plunged into the water and at least seven people are missing and could be in the freezing river.
Horrifying moment Maryland's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses sending entire structure crashing into Patapsco River
Brandon Scott, the mayor of Baltimore, described the tragedy as unthinkable.
"Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that," he said.
"It looked like something out of an action movie."
Two people have been removed from the water, James Wallace, the Baltimore fire chief, said.
It shook the entire house. It was catastrophic.
Priscilla Thompson, a witness
One person refused treatment, while the other is in a serious condition and has been rushed to the hospital.
As day broke, pictures revealed the mangled wreckage of the metal bridge splayed out across the water.
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All of the Dali's crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.
A state of emergency has been declared but authorities do not suspect any terrorism links.
Baltimore Police chief Richard Worley said: "There is absolutely no indication that there's any terrorism, that this was done on purpose."
Witnesses said they heard a bang after the ship hit the bridge.
"The bridge is gone, holy hell," Bobby Gattus said in a video shared by the BBC.
Retired structural iron worker Priscilla Thompson told the outlet she was "devastated" at the loss of the bridge.
"It shook the entire house. It was catastrophic," she said.
"It was a beautiful bridge, so fortified and so straight from every angle, the pride and glory, the bridge of bridges".
Meanwhile, Michael Brown said he thought he was being fooled when someone told him the bridge had collapsed.
"I came down just to see and I can't believe it. It's a major artery here in the area, not only for traffic but for the port," he told NBC.
The White House released a statement, saying: "The US Coast Guard is conducting search and rescue for those who remain unaccounted for as a result of the bridge collapse."
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It continued: "Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident...
"Senior White House officials are in touch with the governor and mayor to offer any federal assistance they need. There is no indication of any nefarious intent."
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