ISTANBUL

An explosion at a coal-carrying cargo ship near the site of last year’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse sent plumes of smoke over Baltimore’s harbor Monday evening, according to the US Coast Guard and city officials.

The blast on the vessel W-Sapphire occurred around 6.30 pm (2230GMT) as it traveled outbound in the Patapsco River, said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew West, according to NBC News' report.

"The vessel was showing signs of damage consistent with a fire and explosion," the Baltimore City Fire Department said in a statement.

Crews from the Coast Guard and Baltimore Fire Department managed to extinguish the blaze while the ship was still moving. Authorities confirmed 23 crew members were on board, none of whom were injured.

A 500-yard safety zone was established around the ship, temporarily restricting traffic through the main 700-foot-wide channel. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

The incident unfolded near the site where, on March 26, 2024, a drifting cargo vessel struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its partial collapse and killing of six workers.