Maryland’s Key Bridge collapses after being struck by a container ship as astonishing footage shows the 9,000ft structure crashing into river

A 9,000ft bridge in Maryland has collapsed after being struck by a container ship.

Astonishing footage shows the moment the vessel plowed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, sending the colossal steel structure crashing into the Patapsco River, shortly before 1.30am Eastern.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties and it is not clear if there was traffic on the bridge at the time of the catastrophe.

The Maryland Transportation Authority tweeted: ‘All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured.’