One body recovered from river in US Baltimore bridge collapse

WASHINGTON-- A body has been recovered from the river following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore of the eastern US state of Maryland, media reported Tuesday.

"We are hearing that one body was found, but this is still an active search of recovery and investigation here at the site," Baltimore City Council Member Phylicia Porter said on CNN.

Officials said that the collapse occurred when a large container ship experienced a power failure early on Tuesday, leading to a collision with the bridge. This collision resulted in individuals and vehicles being plunged into the cold river.

Efforts are ongoing to locate six individuals who are currently missing. Those six individuals, believed to be part of a construction crew, were conducting repair work on the bridge when the collision occurred.

Two people were pulled from the Patapsco River earlier, with one being in critical condition, according to local authorities.

"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. "We have to first and foremost pray for all of those impacted."

In brief remarks from the White House on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said he wants the federal government to pay for the reconstruction of the bridge, which opened to traffic in March 1977.

"We're gonna work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support it needs," Biden said.

The 2.6-km-long bridge carries Interstate-695 Baltimore Beltway traffic, with about 11.5 million vehicles crossing the bridge each year.