The 9,000ft Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland has collapsed after being struck by a container ship.
A breathtaking footage shows the moment the vessel ploughed into the bridge, sending the colossal steel structure crashing into the Patapsco River, shortly before 1.30 am Eastern.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties but there did appear to be traffic on the bridge at the time of the catastrophe.
Baltimore City Fire PIO confirmed that rescue teams were trying to save at least seven people believed to be in the river, according to local radio station WBAL.
A live stream showed the disaster unfolding, with the vessel ploughing into a pile holding up the central part of the bridge. The road and steel arches immediately tumble into the water.
There appeared to be an explosion on the container ship as the bridge smashed into the vessel.
The ship is reportedly the Dali, a Singaporean-flagged container which could be seen on ship tracking websites positioned stationary under the bridge following the crash.
Multiple boats marked as Coast Guard search and rescue vessels were surrounding the ship at around 3am Eastern.
Watch the breathtaking moment the bridge collapsed here.
