Key Bridge collapse: Baltimore Ravens and Orioles praise rescue workers scrambling to save lives and vow city will ‘stand together in the aftermath of this tragic event’

The Baltimore Ravens and Orioles insist the city will “stick together” following the terrifying collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning.

Reports indicate that at least a dozen cars, plus approximately 20 construction workers, were plunged into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River after a container ship lost power and crashed into the bridge, bringing down its iconic structure and leaving several people missing.

At the first news conference around 6:30 a.m., Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace could only confirm that two people had been pulled from the water. One was unharmed, while the other had to be rushed to a local hospital with “serious injuries.”

Wallace said rescuers at the scene are searching for “more than seven” people, but that the number missing could change since the collapse is a “very large incident.” The chief called the efforts a “search and rescue” operation.

Amid the frantic search for those sunk in the river, the Ravens and Orioles issued moving statements Tuesday morning. Both teams praised the rescuers and supported Baltimore in coming together after the tragedy.

NFL team the Ravens wrote for the first time: ‘Our hearts go out to those who have been affected by the horrific collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early this morning.

‘We are grateful to the first responders and local leaders who are on the scene to lead search and rescue efforts and to support the families who have been most directly affected.

“We know the Baltimore community will stand together after this tragic event.”

Quarterback Lamar Jackson also posted: “To the people and their families who were part of the bridge that collapsed in Baltimore, my heart, thoughts and prayers are with all of you…”

Baltimore’s MLB franchise echoed those words, saying, “We are devastated by the news of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and send our thoughts and prayers to those affected by this tragedy.”

‘We thank the brave first responders and the men and women actively working in the rescue efforts.

‘Baltimore, we are a very united and resilient city. “Together we will get out of this.”

Baltimore Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency on Tuesday morning following the catastrophic collision, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. The ship, the Singapore-flagged Dali, had been traveling for 20 minutes when she crashed into a support column on the bridge.

Moore said the ship’s crew managed to issue a mayday call before it crashed into the bridge, allowing officials to prevent cars from passing over the bridge.

“We are grateful that between Mayday and the collapse we had officials who were able to begin stopping the flow of traffic so there were no more cars on the bridge,” the Democrat added.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said eight people were on the bridge when it collapsed, and two of them were rescued from the water, one refused medical treatment and the other was taken to the hospital.

It is still unclear what caused the accident. The video shows the ship going dark seconds before the collision, suggesting a power outage on board. The crew of 22 remains on board and is now being questioned by the Coast Guard.

In the latest update from officials, Governor Moore said divers and air crews are currently working “to save lives” and will update the public as work continues.

“I recognize that many of us are hurting and scared right now,” the Democrat said shortly before 10 a.m.

“I want to be clear: we are still investigating what happened, but our preliminary conclusions point to an accident, we have not seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore office, William DelBagno, said there is “no specific or credible information to suggest there are links to terrorism in this incident.”