Baltimore bridge collapse brings back memories of Florida's Sunshine Skyway bridge disaster

A Baltimore, Maryland, bridge partially collapsed about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday after being hit by a cargo ship.

Nearly 12 hours after the collapse, a massive search effort continued for six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time. Several vehicles also were on the bridge at the time of impact and plunged into the river. As of early Tuesday afternoon, two people have been rescued. One was unharmed and the other remains in "very serious condition."

Officials said the crew on the ship warned of a power issue and sent out a "mayday" before the collision.

➤ Photos, video show collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge

➤ Live coverage: Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses, rescue operations underway

The incident brings back memories of a similar incident that happened in Florida when a freighter hit the Sunshine Skyway bridge in 1980.

A 1,200-foot section of the bridge collapsed, sending several cars and a Greyhound bus into the waters of Tampa Bay. Thirty-five people died.

Here's what is happening in Maryland this morning, along with happened in Florida decades ago.

What happened in the bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday after it was struckby a large cargo ship, The bridge is a major span critical to East Coast shipping.

The Baltimore City Fire Department received several 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. Several vehicles were reported in the river, and the ship had caught fire.

Live updates:Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

"This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river," Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told Reuters.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”

Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali,  Singapore-flagged container ship, collided with one of the pillars of the bridge. All its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

Where is Baltimore?

Baltimore is located about 35 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. or about 90 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Where is Francis Scott Key Bridge and when did it open?

The Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977 as the final link in Interstate 695, the Baltimore Beltway.

The 1.6 mile bridge crosses over the Patapsco River where Francis Scott Key reportedly was inspired to write the words of the Star Spangled Banner, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The bridge consists of four lanes and is 185 feet high. The cost to build it was $60.3 million. The bridge can handle 11.3 million vehicles per year, or nearly 31,000 cars per day, according to the transportation authority.

More about Key Bridge:Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? What to know about collapsed Baltimore bridge

Ship hit Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge in 1980

On May 9, 1980, the freighter Summit Venture struck the bridge that joined St. Petersburg and Bradenton during a thunderstorm, that brought wind gusts in excess of 80 mph and heavy rain. Visibility when the freighter hit one of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was near zero, according to skywaybridgedisaster.com.

A 1,200-foot section of the bridge collapsed, sending several cars and a Greyhound bus into the waters of Tampa Bay.

Thirty-five people died.

A new bridge opened in 1987 and the approaches to the old span are now fishing piers.

Contributors: Charles Ventura, Thao Nguyen, Susan Miller, USA Today Network