Authorities declared it an accident, but the crew of a cargo ship sent a "mayday" saying it had lost power and propulsion before hitting the bridge.

Before hitting a key bridge early Tuesday, a giant cargo ship sailing out of the Port of Baltimore lost power and sent a May Day message.

This gave officials a small opportunity to stop traffic and attempt to evacuate the span before it collapsed into the river.

Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge were missing as of Tuesday morning, despite efforts by divers

and other emergency personnel using boats and helicopters to search for them. He had saved two more.

Authorities declared it an accident, but the crew of a cargo ship sent a "mayday" saying it had lost power and propulsion before hitting the bridge.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore called the incident a terrible accident. We have seen no credible evidence of a terrorist attack

he declared. Interstate 695 passes over the bridge. At first, officials thought the drivers were drowning in the Patapsco River while still in their cars.