The Thai Embassy in Washington DC has confirmed that no Thais have been hurt in the accident involving the collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore, after being struck by a cargo ship, saying “The embassy has checked with Thai communities and students and found no Thais affected by the accident.”

The embassy will, however, continue to monitor the US rescue mission, which will reportedly take days to complete, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.

The disaster occurred at 1:30am (0530 GMT), with the large bridge collapsing at dramatic speed, as seen in video footage capturing the moment the ship, piled high with containers, slammed into one of the bridge supports.

The bridge, which was opened in 1977, collapsed like a deck of cards.

The number of casualties is still unclear, with divers and other specialist rescue teams combing the frigid waters of the Patapsco River, which flows into a bustling industrial harbour just north of the capital, Washington DC.