President Joe Biden has promised to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore “as fast as humanly possible”. 

The 1.6-mile-long bridge collapsed at around 1.30am local time after it was hit by a cargo ship.

A search and rescue operation is now underway in the Patapsco River, which passes under the bridge, as six people remain missing.

A major bridge has collapsed in the US city of Baltimore after it was hit by a cargo ship. pic.twitter.com/AtjbtMFMyR

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) March 26, 2024

President Biden said 15,000 jobs depend on Baltimore Port where activity has ceased today following the incident.

"We're going to do everything we can to protect those jobs," he said

"I've directed my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible”.

Economic importance

Biden said the port is of huge economic importance to the US.

“It handled a record amount of cargo last year,” he said.

“It’s also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks.

“Around 850,000 vehicles go through the port every single year and we will get it up and running again as soon as possible.”

The cargo ship involved is named Dali and struck the bridge some 60 seconds after it lost power and started smoking.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses in Baltimore, Maryland after being hit by a cargo ship, 26-3-24. Image: YouTube/StreamTime

All 22 passengers on board reported no injuries and President Biden expects there was no foul play involved.

“Everything so far indicates that this was a terrible accident,” he said.

“At this time have we no other indication, no other reason to believe there's any intentional act here.

“Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel."

Baltimore’s fire department said there were multiple vehicles on the bridge when it collapsed, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.

Main image: The Francis Scott Key bridge today. Image: Mpi34/Media Punch/Alamy Live News