Baltimore, frenetic hours after the collapse. Sonar “detected vehicles underwater” –

These are hectic hours in Baltimore, USA, where an important bridge in the city port collapsed in the middle of the night: it was overwhelmed by the impact of a ship and now rescuers are looking for dozens of people and several vehicles that are believed to have fallen into the river Patapsco. But the same authorities have warned that the conditions are not safe for rescuers due to “some loads” left hanging from the structure, and due to the conditions of limited visibility and the risk of freezing of those in the water”. Operations continue. The chief of the city’s fire brigade, James Wallace, said this, specifying that it is a “very large incident”, that several agencies are participating in the operations and that the information “might change as research develops” in an area very large.”We are in an active search and rescue phase,” he pointed out.

“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles under water”, but “we don’t know how many there are”, he added. And while Maryland is holding its breath, the White House is “closely following” developments following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and says that “there are no indications of an arson incident.” The US Coast Guard continues search and rescue operations and the White House is in contact with the governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, and the mayor of Baltimore, Brandon Scott, “to offer all necessary federal assistance”. “Our thoughts go to the families of those missing as a result of this terrible accident”, they say.