Baltimore bridge collapse: Who was steering the ship, how many people are missing?

BALTIMORE — A cargo ship rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Bridge early Tuesday, causing the span to collapse and rescuers to launch a massive search for at least six people who are missing.

Here's what we know so far about the disaster:

The operators of the Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call that the vessel had lost power moments before the crash, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. But he said the ship was still barreling toward the span at “a very, very rapid speed.”

The 985-foot (300-meter) long vessel struck one of the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) bridge’s supports, causing the span to break and drop into the water within seconds. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

Synergy Marine Group, which manages the ship, said it was in the control of one or more pilots, who are local specialists who help navigate vessels safely into ports.

The ship was moving at 8 knots, which is roughly 9 mph (15 kph), when it struck the span, the governor said.

Federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge to be in fair condition last June. But the structure did not appear to have pier protection to withstand the crash, experts said.

“If a bridge pier without adequate protection is hit by a ship of this size, there is very little that the bridge could do,” according to Virginia Tech engineering professor Roberto Leon.

Two people were rescued, but officials said six people were still unaccounted for as of late morning. All were believed to be part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes on the bridge.

Sonar had detected cars in the water, which is about 50 feet (15 meters) deep. The water temperature was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) before dawn Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, including one the size of a tractor-trailer. He called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event,” though he didn’t know how many people were affected.

The ship is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd.,