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Updated: 6:33 PM EDT Mar 26, 2024 Greg Ng Digital Content Manager Blair Young Digital Editor Divers search for 6 road workers after Baltimore's Key Bridge struck by cargo ship, collapses Officials suspend vessel traffic in Port of Baltimore after bridge collapse Share * * * Copy Link [ ]Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 6:33 PM EDT Mar 26, 2024 GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Your Email Address[ ] Submit Privacy Notice Advertisement Divers search for 6 road workers after Baltimore's Key Bridge struck by cargo ship, collapses Officials suspend vessel traffic in Port of Baltimore after bridge collapse Share * * * Copy Link [ ]Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! Updated: 6:33 PM EDT Mar 26, 2024 Greg Ng Digital Content Manager Blair Young Digital Editor The governor said a search-and-rescue operation remains underway Tuesday afternoon, hours after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed as a result of a ship strike.THE LATEST RIGHT NOW:* Officials confirmed six people are still unaccounted for; search and rescue continues* Two people were initially rescued -- one declined treatment and another was taken to, and subsequently discharged from, Shock Trauma* Preliminary investigation shows this was not intentional* Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship notified authorities that they had lost power.* Moore said between a Mayday call and the collapse, officials stopped the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge, potentially saving lives.* Baltimore Beltway\I-695 closed from Glen Burnie to Dundalk (traffic map here)Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency after a cargo ship the cargo ship "Dali" crashed into a support structure of the 1.6-mile bridge that carried the Baltimore Beltway\Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River. Its collapse was reported around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.Video posted online shows the entire structure breaking apart in several locations and collapsing. The Associated Press reported the ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed from it."A ship hit it and it's gone. We thought it was an earthquake," a person in the area told 11 News.SkyTeam 11 reported the portion of the bridge that collapsed was the steel superstructure and that the concrete bridge appeared to remain intact. Port of Baltimore operationsThe Maryland Port Administration suspended vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore until further notice. The port is not shut down and they are still processing trucks inside of the terminals.Starting Wednesday, the New Vail Street gate will close until further notice. All truck traffic must enter through the Seagirt main gate at 2600 Broening Highway.The Seagirt main gate will not be extended to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday as previously scheduled. It will close at the normal time of 4:30 p.m.The Seagirt Marine Terminal will be closed on Good Friday.Authorities: No credible information to suggest terrorismBaltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there is no intelligence or any indication that the incident was intentional.The FBI released the following statement, saying: "There is no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time. The investigation is ongoing. FBI Baltimore will continue to support our partners at the local, state and federal levels."Video below captures collapse of Key BridgeThe ship underwent 27 inspections since the Dali came into service in 2016. There were no issues until June, when Chilean authorities found deficiencies in propulsion and the auxiliary machinery.DHS said the Dali lost propulsion as it left Baltimore Harbor, which makes the June inspection particularly interesting.Search for survivorsState authorities said the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that it had lost power and was headed toward the bridge, prompting officials to close the bridge to traffic before the structure was struck.However, there was a work crew on the bridge at the time of the collapse and as many as six people were unaccounted for, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld confirmed."This is an active search-and-rescue mission. We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse working on the bridge, contractors for us," Wiedefeld said."This is very much still a search-and-rescue mission. We are still actively searching for survivors," Moore said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "There is not a single resource we will hold off on deploying, I've already deployed air, land and sea resources."To the families of those missing, the governor said Tuesday afternoon at a news conference: "We are here with you every step of the way. We are praying with you.""This is an excruciating day for several families who woke up today to news that no one wants to receive. They are hoping and praying, and we are hoping and praying with them. We are all putting our arms around the city of Baltimore," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon."This is a dire emergency," Baltimore fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright said. "Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people."Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said at 6:30 a.m. that two others were rescued from the water so far. One person was taken to a trauma center in very serious condition, the other declined medical treatment. A search-and-rescue operation continued over a large area. SkyTeam 11 video below shows bridge collapse & point of impactWallace said dive crews are in the debris field, battling darkness."We'll be guided by our guide teams," Wallace said. "This water is current influenced, so right now, we think the current is coming in, so we have to take a lot of factors int play.""We have to be thinking about the families and the people impacted," Scott said.Wallace said the crew of the ship remained on board. National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon said investigators are standing by to keep the way clear for search-and-rescue operations by the Coast Guard.State of emergencyThe governor's office released a statement, saying: "My office is in close communication with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and the Baltimore Fire Department as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.Video below: "Still actively looking for survivors" - Officials update on Key Bridge"I have declared a state of emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden administration."We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone's safety."We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy."Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Baltimore City in response to the collapse starting at 9 a.m. and will remain in place for 30 days, which enables the mobilization of emergency services and resources.Video below: Lester Holt -- 'Sometimes you see life change on a dime'"This is an unthinkable tragedy," Scott said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. "This is a tragedy you can never imagine. Never did you think you would see the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of a movie ... Our focus should be the preservation of life.""We all awoke this morning to an unspeakable tragedy," Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. "We have a long road ahead not just in the search and rescue but in the fallout after this." Alternate routes for harbor crossingsI-695 is closed between Maryland Route 157 (Peninsula Expressway) in Dundalk and Maryland Route 10 (Arundel Expressway) in Glen Burnie.Interstate 95\ Fort McHenry Tunnel (Maximum height: 14 feet, 6 inches; maximum width: 11 feet)Interstate 895\Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Maximum height: 13 feet, 6 inches; maximum width: 8 feet)Vehicles transporting hazardous materials (including propane of more than 10 pounds) are prohibited in tunnels and should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels.See official truck routes through Baltimore City here.President: Federal government will pay to rebuild bridgePresident Joe Biden spoke on the bridge collapse Tuesday afternoon, saying the federal government will send all the resources needed by the city and state.Video: President speaks about bridge collapse"We're with you, were going to stay with you for along as it takes. Like the governor said, you're Maryland tough, you're Baltimore strong and we're going to get through this together, and I promise we're not leaving," Biden said.The president called on Congress to put into motion the federal government paying for the construction of a replacement bridge."It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost to reconstruct the bridge," Biden said.Buttigieg said the president's plan is to rebuild the bridge and reopen the port. He said the administration is prepared to approve emergency funding upon request from the state.Video below: NTSB provides update on Key Bridge collapseThe Federal Highway Administration released a statement, saying: "The I-695 corridor is a vital connection for people and goods traveling along the East Coast, and we stand ready to offer technical assistance -- including emergency relief funding -- to help manage traffic and rebuild the bridge as quickly and safely as possible. "In response to the collapse, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration have been actively coordinating with federal, state, and local officials in the region, including the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Transportation Authority, the city of Baltimore, U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB and others."Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg, Federal Highway Administrator (Shailen) Bhatt, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on site today to offer federal support and assistance." Where is this bridge?The Key Bridge open in 1977, completing the Baltimore Beltway's circumference around the city. The bridge is southeast of the city proper and spanned from Sparrows Point to the southernmost tip of Baltimore.According to an Maryland Transportation Authority report issued in November, the Key Bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023.Federal Highway Administration records show the bridge was last inspected in May 2021, when inspectors rated it in fair condition overall at a rating of six (satisfactory) out of nine on three parameters. These inspections are supposed to occur every 24 months.The Key Bridge was indeed last inspected in May 2023 and "found to be in satisfactory condition with an overall rating of fair," per a press aide for U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. That inspection found the bridge was in fair condition as well. Check traffic mapApp users tap here to check traffic map DUNDALK, Md. -- The governor said a search-and-rescue operation remains underway Tuesday afternoon, hours after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed as a result of a ship strike. THE LATEST RIGHT NOW: * Officials confirmed six people are still unaccounted for; search and rescue continues * Two people were initially rescued -- one declined treatment and another was taken to, and subsequently discharged from, Shock Trauma * Preliminary investigation shows this was not intentional * Gov. Wes Moore said the crew on the ship notified authorities that they had lost power. * Moore said between a Mayday call and the collapse, officials stopped the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge, potentially saving lives. * Baltimore Beltway\I-695 closed from Glen Burnie to Dundalk (traffic map here) Advertisement Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency after a cargo ship the cargo ship "Dali" crashed into a support structure of the 1.6-mile bridge that carried the Baltimore Beltway\Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River. Its collapse was reported around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Video posted online shows the entire structure breaking apart in several locations and collapsing. The Associated Press reported the ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed from it. "A ship hit it and it's gone. We thought it was an earthquake," a person in the area told 11 News. SkyTeam 11 reported the portion of the bridge that collapsed was the steel superstructure and that the concrete bridge appeared to remain intact. Port of Baltimore operations The Maryland Port Administration suspended vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore until further notice. The port is not shut down and they are still processing trucks inside of the terminals. Starting Wednesday, the New Vail Street gate will close until further notice. All truck traffic must enter through the Seagirt main gate at 2600 Broening Highway. The Seagirt main gate will not be extended to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday as previously scheduled. It will close at the normal time of 4:30 p.m. The Seagirt Marine Terminal will be closed on Good Friday. Authorities: No credible information to suggest terrorism Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there is no intelligence or any indication that the incident was intentional. The FBI released the following statement, saying: "There is no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time. The investigation is ongoing. FBI Baltimore will continue to support our partners at the local, state and federal levels." Video below captures collapse of Key Bridge The ship underwent 27 inspections since the Dali came into service in 2016. There were no issues until June, when Chilean authorities found deficiencies in propulsion and the auxiliary machinery. DHS said the Dali lost propulsion as it left Baltimore Harbor, which makes the June inspection particularly interesting. Search for survivors State authorities said the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that it had lost power and was headed toward the bridge, prompting officials to close the bridge to traffic before the structure was struck. However, there was a work crew on the bridge at the time of the collapse and as many as six people were unaccounted for, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld confirmed. "This is an active search-and-rescue mission. We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse working on the bridge, contractors for us," Wiedefeld said. "This is very much still a search-and-rescue mission. We are still actively searching for survivors," Moore said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "There is not a single resource we will hold off on deploying, I've already deployed air, land and sea resources." What we know about the cargo ship that struck Baltimore's Key Bridge To the families of those missing, the governor said Tuesday afternoon at a news conference: "We are here with you every step of the way. We are praying with you." "This is an excruciating day for several families who woke up today to news that no one wants to receive. They are hoping and praying, and we are hoping and praying with them. We are all putting our arms around the city of Baltimore," U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "This is a dire emergency," Baltimore fire spokesman Kevin Cartwright said. "Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people." Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said at 6:30 a.m. that two others were rescued from the water so far. One person was taken to a trauma center in very serious condition, the other declined medical treatment. A search-and-rescue operation continued over a large area. SkyTeam 11 video below shows bridge collapse & point of impact Wallace said dive crews are in the debris field, battling darkness. "We'll be guided by our guide teams," Wallace said. "This water is current influenced, so right now, we think the current is coming in, so we have to take a lot of factors int play." "We have to be thinking about the families and the people impacted," Scott said. Wallace said the crew of the ship remained on board. National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon said investigators are standing by to keep the way clear for search-and-rescue operations by the Coast Guard. State of emergency The governor's office released a statement, saying: "My office is in close communication with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and the Baltimore Fire Department as emergency personnel are on the scene following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Video below: "Still actively looking for survivors" - Officials update on Key Bridge "I have declared a state of emergency here in Maryland and we are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden administration. "We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone's safety. "We will remain in close contact with federal, state, and local entities that are carrying out rescue efforts as we continue to assess and respond to this tragedy." Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in Baltimore City in response to the collapse starting at 9 a.m. and will remain in place for 30 days, which enables the mobilization of emergency services and resources. Video below: Lester Holt -- 'Sometimes you see life change on a dime' "This is an unthinkable tragedy," Scott said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. "This is a tragedy you can never imagine. Never did you think you would see the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of a movie ... Our focus should be the preservation of life." "We all awoke this morning to an unspeakable tragedy," Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said at a news conference early Tuesday morning. "We have a long road ahead not just in the search and rescue but in the fallout after this." Alternate routes for harbor crossings I-695 is closed between Maryland Route 157 (Peninsula Expressway) in Dundalk and Maryland Route 10 (Arundel Expressway) in Glen Burnie. * Interstate 95\Fort McHenry Tunnel (Maximum height: 14 feet, 6 inches; maximum width: 11 feet) * Interstate 895\Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (Maximum height: 13 feet, 6 inches; maximum width: 8 feet) Vehicles transporting hazardous materials (including propane of more than 10 pounds) are prohibited in tunnels and should use the western section of I-695 around tunnels. See official truck routes through Baltimore City here. President: Federal government will pay to rebuild bridge President Joe Biden spoke on the bridge collapse Tuesday afternoon, saying the federal government will send all the resources needed by the city and state. Video: President speaks about bridge collapse "We're with you, were going to stay with you for along as it takes. Like the governor said, you're Maryland tough, you're Baltimore strong and we're going to get through this together, and I promise we're not leaving," Biden said. 'We are with you': Biden vows federal support in wake of Baltimore bridge collapse The president called on Congress to put into motion the federal government paying for the construction of a replacement bridge. "It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost to reconstruct the bridge," Biden said. Buttigieg said the president's plan is to rebuild the bridge and reopen the port. He said the administration is prepared to approve emergency funding upon request from the state. Video below: NTSB provides update on Key Bridge collapse The Federal Highway Administration released a statement, saying: "The I-695 corridor is a vital connection for people and goods traveling along the East Coast, and we stand ready to offer technical assistance -- including emergency relief funding -- to help manage traffic and rebuild the bridge as quickly and safely as possible. "In response to the collapse, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration have been actively coordinating with federal, state, and local officials in the region, including the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Transportation Authority, the city of Baltimore, U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB and others. "Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg, Federal Highway Administrator (Shailen) Bhatt, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are on site today to offer federal support and assistance." Where is this bridge? The Key Bridge open in 1977, completing the Baltimore Beltway's circumference around the city. The bridge is southeast of the city proper and spanned from Sparrows Point to the southernmost tip of Baltimore. The history of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge According to an Maryland Transportation Authority report issued in November, the Key Bridge carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023. Federal Highway Administration records show the bridge was last inspected in May 2021, when inspectors rated it in fair condition overall at a rating of six (satisfactory) out of nine on three parameters. These inspections are supposed to occur every 24 months. The Key Bridge was indeed last inspected in May 2023 and "found to be in satisfactory condition with an overall rating of fair," per a press aide for U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. That inspection found the bridge was in fair condition as well. 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