BALTIMORE -- A container ship lost power and rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge a major bridge in Baltimore, causing the span to buckle into the river below.
The collapse plunged a construction crew and several vehicles into the dangerously cold waters. Rescuers pulled out two people, but six others were presumed dead.
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MORE: Urgent search after major Baltimore bridge collapse
The ship's crew issued a mayday call moments before the crash took down the bridge. The Maryland governor said the mayday enabled authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span.
The ship struck one of the bridge's supports, causing the structure to collapse like a toy. It tumbled into the water in a matter of seconds.
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A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits in the water on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
FBI divers assist in the search and rescue at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Tuesday, March 26, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Courtesy of FBI Baltimore)
A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge that was struck by a container ship in Baltimore, Md., on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. (Maxaar Technologies via AP)
The wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits in the water on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (BCFD Rescue 1 )
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md.
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits in the water on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits in the water on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A container ship as it rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Dundalk, Md. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A container ship as it rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Dundalk, Md.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A container ship rests against wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits in the water on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, as seen from Pasadena, Md. (Andrew Doyle)