Search and rescue efforts have been suspended for 6 construction workers following the Baltimore bridge collapse.
The United States Coast Guard and Maryland State Police have suspended the search for six construction workers who went missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore fell into the Patapsco River early Tuesday morning.
During a news briefing, authorities said that they do not expect the six construction workers would be discovered alive, and that search and rescue activities will be suspended immediately.
Divers are anticipated to re-enter the ocean around a.m. on Wednesday, authorities said.
Cold water temperatures, limited visibility, and looming weather conditions all contributed to the decision to halt search and rescue operations.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed early Tuesday morning after a cargo ship smashed into one of its supports.
The ship Dali slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge forcing it to partially collapse and throwing cars and people into the sea, according to Maryland authorities.
MarineTraffic, a martime-tracking organization, found that the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Dali collided with the bridge about 1:30 a.m.
CISA officers said in an unclassified report that up to 20 persons were missing and presumed to be in the sea. Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore Fire Department said that two persons were rescued from the water.
According to an unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency assessment, the container ship Dali “lost propulsion” while leaving port, alerting Maryland authorities to the possibility of a collision.
The crew told authorities that they had lost control, according to the report.
“The vessel notified MD Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an allision with the bridge was possible,” the report said. “The vessel struck the bridge causing a complete collapse.”
Officials said Tuesday morning that two persons had been recovered from the water, one of whom was in severe condition. Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace informed reporters that the number of persons being searched for as part of the rescue attempts is unknown, but it might be “upwards of seven people.”
Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) posted early Tuesday that he has been communicating with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as emergency officials react to the problem.
“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,” Moore said in a post on X.
“We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety,” he continued.
The owners and management of the cargo ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, said that all crew members had been accounted for after the collision.
“All crew members, including the two pilots have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries,” Synergy Marine Group said in a statement.
Buttigieg also said that he has given Moore and Scott the department’s assistance and recommended residents in the vicinity to follow “local responder guidance on detours and response.”
The FBI also said that it has personnel on the site to help with the reaction.
The 1.6-mile bridge, which served Interstate 695, opened in March 1977. The Maryland Department of Transportation advises vehicles to take Interstate 95 or Interstate 895.
The White House stated early Tuesday that it was “closely monitoring” the situation in Baltimore after a cargo ship collided with a key bridge.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those who remain missing as a result of this horrific incident,” a White House official said.
“There was no indication of “any nefarious intent,” an official told ABC News.
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