Two people saved from water after Baltimore bridge collapse, rescuers continue search operation

A Singapore-flagged container ship smashed into a four-lane bridge in the U.S. port of Baltimore in darkness on Tuesday, causing it to collapse and sending cars and people plunging into the river below, Reuters reports.

Rescuers pulled out two survivors, one in a "very serious condition," and were searching for more in the Patapsco River after huge spans of the 2.57 km Francis Scott Key Bridge crumpled into the water, the report adds.

Baltimore officials said at least seven vehicles plunged into the water but could not give an exact figure.

Kevin Cartwright, the spokesperson for Baltimore City Fire Department, earlier told Reuters that as many as 20 people could be in the river along with numerous vehicles.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency to quickly deploy federal resources to deal with the emergency. 

At a news conference, Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there was no indication of terrorism.

The bridge, named after Francis Scott Key, the author of the American national anthem, opened in 1977.