The crew of the cargo ship that rammed a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore, leading it to collapse, sent out a distress signal shortly before the collision, according to officials.
The governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, said at a press conference on Tuesday that thanks to the emergency signal, officials were able to stop the traffic so that no more cars would drive onto the bridge.
At least six people are still missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore near Washington plunged into the water after one of its support pillars was hit by the cargo vessel early on Tuesday.
According to the crew, there had been a power problem on the vessel, Moore confirmed, without giving further details.
It was initially unclear what led to the collision.
Moore said initial investigations suggested an accident.
