Baltimore bridge collapse live updates: Recovery efforts, investigation underway

2 min

More than 36 hours since a massive container ship crashed into and collapsed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, federal authorities said at a White House press briefing Wednesday that they are balancing efforts to recover the remains of those who fell into the water, assess and remove the bridge debris blocking access to the port and relocate the ship — all before efforts to rebuild can even begin. At least six people, part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes and masonry on the bridge, are presumed dead. Two other workers were rescued. National Transport Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said investigators boarded the ship to recover the data recorder — “which is essentially the black box” — and are developing a timeline of events. Investigators are expected to give an update Wednesday evening.

Key updates

Skip to end of carousel

An urgent “mayday” call about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Dali allowed first responders to shut down most of the traffic on the bridge, which carried more than 30,000 cars a day. Officials are investigating the incident but say they believe it was an accident. The crew, from India and Sri Lanka, has remained on board the ship since the crash and is cooperating, federal officials said.

Among those presumed dead are Miguel Luna, a husband and father of three from El Salvador; and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two from Honduras who was about to celebrate his 39th birthday. Two other victims, age 26 and 35, were from Guatemala, while two people presumed dead and one of the workers who was rescued were from Mexico.

Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., secretary of the Maryland State Police, said Tuesday night it was a “distinct possibility” that motorists were also on the bridge at the time of the collapse and that they would also be presumed dead. At a White House press briefing Wednesday, U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Williams Gautier said the count of six victims is based on information from Maryland state officials.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge links Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties and was a major part of the Interstate 695 beltway. It was considered an engineering marvel when it was built in the 1970s. Rebuilding the bridge will take more than a year and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts say, describing the job as particularly complicated because it involves crossing deep water.

Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore has been “suspended until further notice,” port officials announced Tuesday. The incident is expected to significantly disrupt East Coast shipping and intensify difficulties already affecting the global supply chain.

1/5

Skip to end of carousel

An urgent “mayday” call about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Dali allowed first responders to shut down most of the traffic on the bridge, which carried more than 30,000 cars a day. Officials are investigating the incident but say they believe it was an accident. The crew, from India and Sri Lanka, has remained on board the ship since the crash and is cooperating, federal officials said.

Among those presumed dead are Miguel Luna, a husband and father of three from El Salvador; and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two from Honduras who was about to celebrate his 39th birthday. Two other victims, age 26 and 35, were from Guatemala, while two people presumed dead and one of the workers who was rescued were from Mexico.

Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., secretary of the Maryland State Police, said Tuesday night it was a “distinct possibility” that motorists were also on the bridge at the time of the collapse and that they would also be presumed dead. At a White House press briefing Wednesday, U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter Williams Gautier said the count of six victims is based on information from Maryland state officials.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge links Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties and was a major part of the Interstate 695 beltway. It was considered an engineering marvel when it was built in the 1970s. Rebuilding the bridge will take more than a year and cost hundreds of millions of dollars, experts say, describing the job as particularly complicated because it involves crossing deep water.

Vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore has been “suspended until further notice,” port officials announced Tuesday. The incident is expected to significantly disrupt East Coast shipping and intensify difficulties already affecting the global supply chain.