Heroic workers "saved" many lives by keeping drivers off the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, moments before it collapsed early Tuesday, according to the state's governor.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday that workers who were on the bridge at the time stopped cars from crossing right before a massive container ship crashed into the bridge and sent it plunging into the Patapsco River.

"The ship issued a mayday loss of power," Moore said, as quoted by the New York Post.

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The governor added, "The workers on the bridge halted traffic right before impact. They saved lives in a very, very heroic way."

Eight people, including several construction workers, were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed after a 948-foot container ship lost power and rammed into one of its support pillars at around 1:30 a.m., CNN reported, citing officials.

Footage obtained by The Guardian of the horrifying moment showed the 1.6-mile-long bridge collapsing into pieces in mere seconds.

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Two of the individuals were rescued. One has since been discharged from the hospital, while the other is in critical condition, according to officials.

The six other people were declared missing and presumed dead.

The six missing individuals were part of a construction crew filling potholes on the bridge, the Associated Press reported, citing Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld.

The Coast Guard announced at around 7:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday that it ended its active search-and-rescue operation for the missing workers, according to CNN.

The Coast Guard did "not believe we are going to find any of these individuals alive," Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.

There were no reported injuries among the crew of the container ship.

Following the collapse, President Joe Biden pledged federal support to the bridge's rebuilding effort.

"It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort," Biden said, according to NBC News.

U.S. President Joe Biden
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a reception for the 2022 Kennedy Center honorees at the White House on December 04, 2022 in Washington, DC.
(Photo : Getty Images/Kevin Dietsch)

The president acknowledged that rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge will take "some time" but said he told Maryland's governor that he's asked the federal government to "move heaven and earth" to make it happen "as soon as humanly possible."

Biden also shared his plans to visit Baltimore and sent his prayers to those affected by the bridge collapse.

An investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board has been launched into the collapse.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which opened in 1977, cost $60.3 million to build, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

According to the state's governor, it is used by over 30,000 people every day.

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