A ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, early Tuesday morning, causing the bridge to collapse and sending vehicles plunging into the freezing waters of the Patapsco River below.
Six construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed are presumed dead. Two bodies were recovered from a vehicle in the collapse site on Wednesday.
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Heres What We Know So Far
- The bodies of two workers were recovered from the water of the bridge collapse site. The victims were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26.
- The vessel had undergone a routine engine maintenance check in the port. The Coast Guard says it was informed about the check but not of any problems with the vessel.
- It is still unclear what caused the power issue on the vessel moments before its collision with the bridge.
- Investigators have recovered a data recorder, or black box, from the ship, which will be used to collect evidence.
- The in-water search was stopped at around 4 p.m today because divers were unable to safely navigate around the superstructure in the water, which is believed to be encasing vehicles.
- Divers will return to the water once the superstructure is removed.
Live Coverage Concludes
Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has concluded. Please check HuffPost.com for further updates.
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Baltimore Mayor Warns Against Spreading Bridge Misinformation
During a press conference on Wednesday, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott asked people to have decency and respect with regard to the bridge collapse and cautioned against spreading misinformation.
Im also asking for folks to have a little bit of decency and respect. Don't spread misinformation, dont play bridge engineer online or in the media," Scott said. "Remember that these are peoples family members who lost their lives simply trying to make transit better for the rest of us.
His comments come after conspiracy theories about the bridge collapse were spread by right-wing influencers on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, including false claims about the collision looking deliberate or orchestrated by terrorists.
Officials have determined that the collision was an accident and not an act of terrorism.
Im also asking for folks to have a little bit of decency and respect. Don't spread misinformation, dont play bridge engineer online or in the media," Scott said. "Remember that these are peoples family members who lost their lives simply trying to make transit better for the rest of us.
His comments come after conspiracy theories about the bridge collapse were spread by right-wing influencers on X (formerly Twitter) Tuesday, including false claims about the collision looking deliberate or orchestrated by terrorists.
Officials have determined that the collision was an accident and not an act of terrorism.
Vessel Underwent Routine Engine Maintenance, Coast Guard Says
The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge underwent routine engine maintenance while it was in the port, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said in a press conference Wednesday evening.
The Coast Guard had been informed about the maintenance check but not about any problems with the vessel.
There is no confirmed answer on what caused the power issue leading up to the ships collision with the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in the press conference.
The Coast Guard had been informed about the maintenance check but not about any problems with the vessel.
There is no confirmed answer on what caused the power issue leading up to the ships collision with the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said in the press conference.
More Details On The Two Victims
The two victims whose bodies were found have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, Maryland State Police Col. Roland Butler confirmed in a press conference Wednesday evening.
Divers found the two victims trapped within a red pick up truck under 25 feet of water at around 10 a.m. local time. Fuentes and Cabrera were identified with a license and fingerprints.
The FBI was able to confirm that Fuentes was from Mexico and Cabrera was from Guatemala, Butler said. Both were construction workers for Brawler Builders.
The in-water search stopped at around 4 p.m. because the divers were no longer able to safely navigate or operate around the superstructure in the water, which Butler says is believed to be encasing the vehicles.
Once that salvage effort takes place and that super structure is removed, those same divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure, Butler said. Theres no definitive timeline on this. Please be patient, please keep the family members in mind.
Divers found the two victims trapped within a red pick up truck under 25 feet of water at around 10 a.m. local time. Fuentes and Cabrera were identified with a license and fingerprints.
The FBI was able to confirm that Fuentes was from Mexico and Cabrera was from Guatemala, Butler said. Both were construction workers for Brawler Builders.
The in-water search stopped at around 4 p.m. because the divers were no longer able to safely navigate or operate around the superstructure in the water, which Butler says is believed to be encasing the vehicles.
Once that salvage effort takes place and that super structure is removed, those same divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure, Butler said. Theres no definitive timeline on this. Please be patient, please keep the family members in mind.
Bodies Of Two Victims Have Been Recovered
The bodies of two people were recovered on Wednesday afternoon at the collapse site of the Francis Scott Bridge, The Baltimore Banner reported .
Two sources told the Banner that the two men were found in a vehicle and brought to shore.
Two sources told the Banner that the two men were found in a vehicle and brought to shore.
AP Photo
President Biden Meets With Key Officials On Bridge Collapse
President Joe Biden spent part of Wednesday meeting with top officials to discuss the coordinated federal, state and local response to the collapse of the bridge.
According to a White House pool report, the president met with United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He also spoke with General Scott Pellmon and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
[Biden] reiterated that his administration will be with the people of Baltimore every step of the way, the White House said of the presidents conversation with Moore.
According to a White House pool report, the president met with United States Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. He also spoke with General Scott Pellmon and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
[Biden] reiterated that his administration will be with the people of Baltimore every step of the way, the White House said of the presidents conversation with Moore.
Coast Guard: 'No Threat To Public' From Containers Onboard Holding Hazardous Materials
Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier told reporters Wednesday that 56 of the 4,700 cargo containers aboard the container ship contain hazardous materials, but that they do not pose any threat to the public.
Most of these things are, like, mineral oils, and even though theyre hazardous, weve determined that there really isnt any kind of threat to the public," he said.
The majority of those containers are closer to the pilot house and are completely unaffected by the damage to the bow of the ship, he said.
Two additional containers that do not contain hazardous materials are missing overboard.
A specialized Coast Guard team has boarded the vessel to monitor the situation, in addition to monitoring the containers from the air.
More critically, the vessel has roughly 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil onboard, which will be closely monitored as the ship is re-floated and removed from the scene for salvage.
Following the suspension of search and rescue efforts late Tuesday, Gautier said the Coast Guards highest priority is now restoring the waterway so shipping can resume.
Most of these things are, like, mineral oils, and even though theyre hazardous, weve determined that there really isnt any kind of threat to the public," he said.
The majority of those containers are closer to the pilot house and are completely unaffected by the damage to the bow of the ship, he said.
Two additional containers that do not contain hazardous materials are missing overboard.
A specialized Coast Guard team has boarded the vessel to monitor the situation, in addition to monitoring the containers from the air.
More critically, the vessel has roughly 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil onboard, which will be closely monitored as the ship is re-floated and removed from the scene for salvage.
Following the suspension of search and rescue efforts late Tuesday, Gautier said the Coast Guards highest priority is now restoring the waterway so shipping can resume.
One Truck Recovered, At Least One Remains Hanging: Report
An unnamed law enforcement official told the Associated Press Wednesday theyve recovered a truck from the water below the bridge. And at least one additional vehicle remains ensnared in the metal.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore hailed the efforts of the recovery divers plying dangerous, frigid waters to find the six workers who were on the bridge and are presumed dead.
They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them, he said at a press conference Wednesday. They are trying to navigate mangled metal and theyre also in a place it is now presumed that people have lost their lives, so the work of these first responders, the work of these divers, I cannot stress enough how remarkable these individuals are.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore hailed the efforts of the recovery divers plying dangerous, frigid waters to find the six workers who were on the bridge and are presumed dead.
They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them, he said at a press conference Wednesday. They are trying to navigate mangled metal and theyre also in a place it is now presumed that people have lost their lives, so the work of these first responders, the work of these divers, I cannot stress enough how remarkable these individuals are.
Economic Impact From Port's Suspension Around $191 Million Per Day, Local Union Head Says
The economic impact from the Baltimore Ports suspension is estimated at around $191 million per day, with thousands of people without work, according to a local union leader.
Scott Cowan, the president of the International Longshoremans Association Local 333 in Baltimore, told HuffPost his unions 2,400 dockworkers are day laborers who work only when theres cargo to be moved. He said around 17,000 to 20,000 direct jobs are expected to be impacted by the ports suspension.
Obviously we dont have to wait for the bridge to get rebuilt, its more of the shipping channel being cleared out and I dont know how long thats going to take, he said.
Cowan said they are working with state and federal officials to secure financial assistance in the meantime.
The ports been shut down before because of snow, wind, or rain but nothing like this, he said, calling the situation scary.
We didnt shut down like this during the COVID pandemic. All these people affected right now were the ones moving goods during the COVID pandemic that most people were relying on getting, he said.
Maryland Gov. Moore has also said that the harbor is responsible for $191 million of economic activity daily, according to WTOP .
Scott Cowan, the president of the International Longshoremans Association Local 333 in Baltimore, told HuffPost his unions 2,400 dockworkers are day laborers who work only when theres cargo to be moved. He said around 17,000 to 20,000 direct jobs are expected to be impacted by the ports suspension.
Obviously we dont have to wait for the bridge to get rebuilt, its more of the shipping channel being cleared out and I dont know how long thats going to take, he said.
Cowan said they are working with state and federal officials to secure financial assistance in the meantime.
The ports been shut down before because of snow, wind, or rain but nothing like this, he said, calling the situation scary.
We didnt shut down like this during the COVID pandemic. All these people affected right now were the ones moving goods during the COVID pandemic that most people were relying on getting, he said.
Maryland Gov. Moore has also said that the harbor is responsible for $191 million of economic activity daily, according to WTOP .
Police Had About 90 Seconds To Get Traffic Off Bridge
Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic from entering the bridge from both ways before it collapsed, according to audio obtained by the Associated Press .
One officer intended to drive out onto the bridge to get a hold of the construction crew and let them know to leave but didn't get the chance. The whole bridge just fell down, an officer said at the end of the recording. Start, start whoever, everybody ... the whole bridge just collapsed.
One officer intended to drive out onto the bridge to get a hold of the construction crew and let them know to leave but didn't get the chance. The whole bridge just fell down, an officer said at the end of the recording. Start, start whoever, everybody ... the whole bridge just collapsed.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
'Black Box' Data Recorder Recovered From Ship
Investigators have recovered the data recorder from the Dali ship, which is essentially the "black box," the National Transportation Safety Board's Jennifer Homendy told CNN.
Some investigators boarded late last night to look at the engine room, the bridge and gather any sort of electronics or documentation," Homendy told CNN on Wednesday morning. She also said a team of 24 investigators is returning this morning to collect any perishable evidence.
The NTSB teams will remain on site for about five days, she told WGAL 8 News . A preliminary report should be out in about two to four weeks, but it will take one to two years for a final report.
Some investigators boarded late last night to look at the engine room, the bridge and gather any sort of electronics or documentation," Homendy told CNN on Wednesday morning. She also said a team of 24 investigators is returning this morning to collect any perishable evidence.
The NTSB teams will remain on site for about five days, she told WGAL 8 News . A preliminary report should be out in about two to four weeks, but it will take one to two years for a final report.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Governor Hails Dive Teams, Says Rebuilding Bridge Is 'Imperative'
Gov. Wes Moore recognized the bravery and "heroism" of first responders continuing recovery efforts for the six people missing, while stressing it being imperative to rebuild the lost bridge and get the nearby Port of Baltimore back up and running again.
"I will devote every single resource to making sure that you receive closure," he said in a message early Wednesday to the family of the bridge victims as divers continued to search the river.
"I cant stress enough the heroism of these folks. They are in frigid conditions. They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them. They are trying to navigate mangled metal, and they are also in a place that they, it is now presumed, that people lost their lives, he said at a press conference.
While Moore said the recovery remains his top property, he also emphasized the economic impact from the disaster.
"This port is responsible for over 51 million tons of foreign cargo. Thats the largest in the country, he said.
"This is not just impacting Maryland, this is impacting that farmer in Kentucky. Its impacting that auto dealer in Michigan. So it is is imperative that we get this bridge rebuilt, it is imperative that we get the Port of Baltimore back up and going, and it is not just about how we are supporting Maryland, this is about how we are supporting the American economy."
Asked about possible criminal charges being filed against the container vessel, he said it's still too early to rule anything in or out.
"I will devote every single resource to making sure that you receive closure," he said in a message early Wednesday to the family of the bridge victims as divers continued to search the river.
"I cant stress enough the heroism of these folks. They are in frigid conditions. They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them. They are trying to navigate mangled metal, and they are also in a place that they, it is now presumed, that people lost their lives, he said at a press conference.
While Moore said the recovery remains his top property, he also emphasized the economic impact from the disaster.
"This port is responsible for over 51 million tons of foreign cargo. Thats the largest in the country, he said.
"This is not just impacting Maryland, this is impacting that farmer in Kentucky. Its impacting that auto dealer in Michigan. So it is is imperative that we get this bridge rebuilt, it is imperative that we get the Port of Baltimore back up and going, and it is not just about how we are supporting Maryland, this is about how we are supporting the American economy."
Asked about possible criminal charges being filed against the container vessel, he said it's still too early to rule anything in or out.
Advice For Commuters
The Maryland Transportation Department has issued information on road closures and rerouted traffic due to the bridge collapse. Wednesday morning commuters can expect delays. Their alerts are at this site , or on social media .
Coast Guard To Head Back Out There Wednesday Morning
The U.S. Coast Guard was set to resume their recovery efforts at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, 7News reported .
Officials said yesterday that today they would "be in a better position to understand the dynamics of what we're dealing with."
Officials said yesterday that today they would "be in a better position to understand the dynamics of what we're dealing with."
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