(BALTIMORE) — Officials were able to stop the flow of traffic onto the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore before a massive cargo ship crashed into a support column, helping to save lives in the disaster, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
The container ship Dali issued a mayday call as it approached the 1.6-mile-long bridge at about eight knots, a “very rapid speed,” Moore said. Following that notification, officials were able to prevent more cars from going onto the bridge before the collapse, he said.
“These people are heroes,” Moore told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday. “They saved lives last night.”
After personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, local authorities were able to close the bridge before it was struck, “which undoubtedly saved lives,” President Joe Biden said Tuesday during remarks on the disaster.
A review of traffic cameras by Maryland transportation officials confirmed there were “no vehicles transiting the bridge at the time of the incident,” according to an internal U.S. Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.
The Singapore-flagged vessel struck the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. ET, causing the bridge to partially collapse, officials said. Authorities said several workers who were part of a maintenance team fixing potholes on the span went into the water, along with multiple vehicles.
Two workers were rescued while six remain unaccounted for following the collapse, officials said. Authorities were working to determine how many people may have been involved in the collapse, Moore said.
“The thing we do know is that many of the vehicles were stopped before they got onto the bridge, which saved lives in a very, very heroic way,” he said.
A search-and-rescue effort is underway, with divers and emergency personnel combing the area for people believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid water, officials said.
“To the victims of this tragedy and their loved ones, all our hearts are broken,” Moore said. “In the face of heartbreak, we come together, we embrace each other.”
Moore said there was no credible evidence that the crash involved terrorism. He said it appeared to be a tragic accident.
According to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News, a harbor pilot and an assistant aboard the cargo ship reported the power issues that prompted multiple alarms on the bridge of the vessel and loss of propulsion.
The bridge is part of Interstate 695 and crossed the Patapsco River in the Port of Baltimore.
An estimated 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky contributed to this report.
(BALTIMORE) — A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.
A search-and-rescue effort is underway, with divers and emergency personnel desperately combing the Patapsco River for people believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid water below, officials said. At least six people are unaccounted for, officials said.
Mar 26, 5:25 PM EPA on standby, not aware of any concerns
The regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency is on standby to respond to the aftermath of the bridge collapse if needed but is not aware of any environmental concerns at this time, according to EPA Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs spokesman Shaun Egan.
Synergy Marine Group said Tuesday morning that there was no pollution from the ship.
The Coast Guard is the primary federal agency responding and they have not asked for EPA assistance. Coast Guard pollution responders were sent to the scene, and if any releases of fuel or other pollutants are detected, the EPA official said the agency is ready to support that response.
The Maryland Department of the Environment said it is “conducting water sampling upriver and downriver of the site.”
-ABC News’ Stephanie Ebbs and Beatrice Peterson
Mar 26, 4:09 PM Harris: ‘We are all praying’
Vice President Kamala Harris said she is “praying for the families of those who are missing and all those who have been touched by this tragedy.”
“I spoke with the governor of Maryland this morning, and we have directed the federal government to use all the resources that are available to assist with the search and rescue, to reopen the port and to rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible,” Harris said while making a joint appearance with President Joe Biden at an event in North Carolina.
-ABC News’ Libby Cathey and Justin Ryan Gomez
Mar 26, 4:00 PM ‘Very much still a search and rescue mission,’ governor says
Fourteen hours after the bridge collapse, crews are still desperately looking for the six people who remain unaccounted for, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
“This is very much still a search and rescue mission,” Moore said.
“We had the opportunity to spend time with the families. Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them,” Moore said. “And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable.”
“We are hopeful and we are with the families,” Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., said.
“This is no ordinary bridge — this is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “So the path to normalcy will not be easy, will not be quick, will not be inexpensive. But we will rebuild together.”
Buttigieg did not give an estimate of how long it may take to resume vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.
Mar 26, 3:00 PM What to know about the collapse
The container ship Dali struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge, officials in Maryland said.
A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
The crash appeared to be accidental, not intentional, officials said.
Two people were rescued from the Patapsco River and at least six people remain missing, officials said.
Mar 26, 2:28 PM Buttigieg meets with responders
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to the scene of the Baltimore bridge collapse, at the invitation of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, according to the Department of Transportation.
Buttigieg posted a photo of him meeting with responders.
An estimated 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Mar 26, 1:38 PM Personnel on ship alerted officials before collision ‘which undoubtedly saved lives’: Biden
Personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, and officials were able to close the bridge before it was struck, “which undoubtedly saved lives,” President Joe Biden told reporters.
It appears the crash was a “terrible accident,” Biden said.
He said the search and rescue operation is the top priority.
“Ship traffic and the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we’ll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume,” he said.
“It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstruction. … I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said.
“This is going to take some time,” the president said, adding, “We’re not leaving until this job gets done.”
Biden, who noted he’s been over the bridge many times, said he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.
“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved one right now,” the president said. “To the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We’re with you. We’re going to stay with you, as long as it takes.”
Mar 26, 12:34 PM No cars transiting bridge at time of collapse: Internal DHS briefing
Maryland transportation officials reviewed traffic cameras and confirmed there were “no vehicles transiting the bridge at the time of the incident,” according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.
The local pilot who was at the controls is “undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing,” the briefing said.
The cargo ship “remains impaled in the bridge,” the document said. “Several shipping containers with unknown cargo fell into water. There is hull damage above the water line to the vessel and the ship is maintaining watertight integrity.”
A slight sheen of pollution was observed in the water, suggesting there could be some oil or other pollutant “in the vicinity of the ship and pollution booms have been requested,” the memo said.
-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky
Mar 26, 11:00 AM 6 unaccounted for
Six people remain unaccounted for as the desperate search continues at the site of the bridge collapse, Coast Guard officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference.
Two were rescued, including one who was hospitalized and later discharged, officials said. Construction workers were on the bridge working on potholes at the time of the collapse, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
“To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it’s shocking and heartbreaking,” Moore said. “It’s not just unprecedented, what we’re seeing today — it’s heartbreaking.”
The collapse appears to be an accident, Moore said.
There’s nothing to suggest ties to terrorism, the FBI added.
The container ship was moving at 8 knots, which is considered fast, officials noted.
A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
A harbor pilot and assistant onboard the cargo ship reported power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge and loss of propulsion prior to the incident, according to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News. All personnel on the tanker are accounted for with no reported injuries, the memo said.
The Patapsco River channel is fully blocked, with approximately five inbound and seven outbound vessels in the queue for the next 24 hours, according to the memo.
The bridge was up to code, officials said.
Mar 26, 10:46 AM What to know about the cargo ship
The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Dali, spans a length of 984 feet and a width of 157 feet, a listing showed. It holds 22 crew members, all of whom are based in India.
The ship departed from the Port of Baltimore at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, embarking on a 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship “lost propulsion” as it was leaving the port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision, according to officials.
The waterway into and out of the port is closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the Mid-Atlantic.
Mar 26, 9:47 AM Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also declared a local state of emergency.
Mar 26, 9:28 AM The history of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge
The 1.6-mile bridge on the I-695 beltway crosses the Patapsco River, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words of the U.S. national anthem in 1814, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Key, after whom the bridge was named, was also an advisor to Andrew Jackson, served as the District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833 to 1841, and was a slave owner, according to the National Park Service.
Construction on the bridge, which was intended to ease traffic and maintenance concerns regarding the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel that serviced the waterway, began in 1972 and finished in March 1977, according to the MDTA.
Mar 26, 8:36 AM 1 person hospitalized in very serious condition
Two people have been rescued from the water and crews are still searching for others, fire officials said.
One person rescued has been taken to a hospital in very serious condition, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said.
The second rescued person denied medical treatment.
Mar 26, 8:30 AM ‘No indications this was an intentional act,’ Mayorkas says
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said “there are no indications this was an intentional act,” adding, “we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured,” he said.
The Coast Guard is “actively involved in search and rescue operations,” he said.
Mar 26, 8:09 AM Biden briefed on collapse
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.
Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.
-ABC News’ Selina Wang and Molly Nagle
Mar 26, 7:32 AM Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says
An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.
The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.
“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.”
The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.
-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney, Aaron Katersky and Kevin Shalvey
Mar 26, 7:15 AM Cargo ship company says all crew members safe
The owners and managers of the cargo ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, said all crew members had been accounted for following the crash.
“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.
The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.
The 984-foot ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, the statement said.
The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.
-ABC News’ Jenny Wagnon Courts, Laura Romero and Kevin Shalvey
Mar 26, 6:05 AM Secretary Buttigieg offers DOT support
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that he’s spoken with local officials to offer support.
“I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge,” he said. “Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response.”
(WASHINGTON) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Tuesday — a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the delegation to the United States that was going to discuss plans for an operation in Rafah.
Israel pulled its delegation after the U.S. allowed, through abstention, for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza for the remaining days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — and potentially longer.
The resolution called for the unconditional release of hostages being held by Hamas terrorists, though it did not explicitly tie that with a temporary cease-fire. The resolution further urged that the humanitarian pause should then lead “to a lasting sustainable ceasefire.”
In brief remarks ahead of their meeting at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Austin said in his strongest terms yet that humanitarian considerations, such as the 1.5 million Palestinian civilians currently sheltering in Rafah and the acute threat of famine, must be confronted amid the war in Gaza.
“In Gaza today, the number of civilian casualties is far too high and the amount of humanitarian aid is far too low. Gaza is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and the situation is getting even worse,” Austin said ahead of a meeting with Gallant, who was at the Pentagon after meetings at the White House and State Department on Monday.
Austin raised humanitarian priorities as Israel plans an offensive in Rafah, a city in the south of Gaza bordering Egypt, a campaign Netanyahu has said is needed to root out Hamas. The White House has said Biden has “deep concerns” Israel will not do enough to prevent civilian casualties as it goes after Hamas fighters in the city.
The Israeli military said that it plans to direct many of the displaced Palestinians living in Rafah toward “humanitarian islands” in the center of the territory ahead of any invasion.
Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, waged an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, which has led to months of conflict.
In the Gaza Strip, more than 31,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces since Oct. 7, according to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. In Israel, at least 1,200 people have been killed by Hamas and other Palestinian militants since Oct. 7, according to Israeli officials.
“We continue to share the goal of seeing Hamas defeated, so we’ll discuss alternative approaches to target Hamas elements,” Austin said, adding that there would be a discussion about “how we can dramatically and urgently ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
Gallant did not mention humanitarian conditions or “alternative” military approaches in Gaza or Rafah, but previewed a discussion on continued U.S.-Israeli security cooperation.
“Today, we will discuss the developments in Gaza and the means to achieve our goals: the destruction of Hamas organization and bringing back the Israeli hostages back home,” Gallant said.
Austin reiterated that the United States is an ally to Israel, saying that “we continue to share the goal of seeing Hamas defeated.”
“Our security bond is unshakeable. The United States is Israel’s closest friend, and that won’t change,” Austin said.
Yet Austin’s characterization of the situation on the ground as a “catastrophe” is a more direct assessment than the Pentagon has previously offered — as the Biden administration continues to warn of dire humanitarian consequences in the Gaza Strip.
After the U.S. changed course by foregoing a veto at the Security Council, the State Department said during Secretary Antony Blinken’s meeting with Gallant on Monday, Blinken “reiterated opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah.”
While Austin did not express public opposition to a military campaign in Rafah, in addition to his call for security “alternatives,” he appealed for stepped-up humanitarian measures — beyond aid corridors by the sea that the Pentagon is spearheading.
“We need immediate increases and assistance to avert famine, and our work to open a temporary humanitarian corridor by sea will help, but the key is still expanding aid deliveries by land,” he said.
A report out earlier this month found that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza amid ongoing high levels of food insecurity on the Gaza Strip as the Israel-Hamas war rages on.
President Joe Biden recently announced an “emergency” military mission to construct a port in the Mediterranean Sea on Gaza’s coast to get humanitarian aid in.
A senior defense official said the port’s main feature will be a temporary pier that will “provide the capacity for hundreds of additional truckloads of assistance each day.”
(WASHINGTON) — The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, the panel said in a statement on Tuesday.
The committee did not specify what it is investigating and said it will make another announcement on the matter by May 10. The issue was first flagged to the committee by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics in December.
“The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee,” Mississippi Rep. Michael Guest, the ethics chair, and Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the ranking Democrat, said in the statement.
Nehls stressed his cooperation and transparency in a statement issued after the ethics committee’s announcement.
He also said the matter had to do with campaign money.
“I look forward to assisting the House Committee on Ethics inquiry into my campaign’s finances,” he said. “My campaign has complied with every Federal Election Commission (FEC) law, and my books are open.”
A former sheriff, Nehls was first elected in 2020.
(OAKLAND, Calif.) — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has named Nicole Shanahan as his running mate.
Kennedy spoke glowingly about Shanahan on stage during his announcement event in Oakland, California, citing, among other attributes, her passion for health care.
He also said choosing a young running mate was crucial. Shanahan, a lawyer and tech entrepreneur in the Bay Area, is 38.
The announcement follows a selection process in which he vetted an eclectic group of high-profile people, including New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura and television host Mike Rowe.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(NEW YORK) — The judge in Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case in New York has granted the Manhattan district attorney’s request for a limited gag order on the former president.
The order, by Judge Juan Merchan, restricts Trump’s public statements about witnesses and others.
Statements made by Trump about witnesses, prosecutors, judges and others tied to his criminal and civil cases “were threatening, inflammatory, denigrating” and represent “a sufficient risk to the administration of justice,” Judge Merchan said Tuesday in deciding to impose the partial gag order.
“The consequences of those statements included not only fear on the part of the individual targeted, abut also the assignment of increased security resources to investigate threats and protect the individuals and family members thereof,” Merchan said.
The order prevents Trump from making public statements about witnesses in the hush money case, prospective jurors, members of the court staff and their families, and lawyers other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The partial gag order follows Trump’s disparaging remarks about Merchan and his daughter after the judge on Monday rejected Trump’s bid for a delay and set the trial date for April 15.
“Such inflammatory extrajudicial statements undoubtedly risk impending the orderly administration of this Court,” Merchan said, adding “there exists no less restrictive means to prevent such risk.”
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels just days before the 2016 presidential election. The former president has denied all wrongdoing.
“Given that the eve of trial is upon us, it is without question that the immanency of the risk of harm is now paramount,” the judge said in his ruling Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, Trump again sought to delay the trial, seeking a new delay based on “exceptionally prejudicial pretrial publicity.”
Trump’s attorneys argued in a court filing that “potential jurors in Manhattan have been exposed to huge amounts of biased and unfair media coverage relating to this case,” particularly, they said, the new documentary about Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
Defense attorneys did not say when the trial should start — only that it should not begin “until the prejudicial press coverage abates.”
“President Trump’s constitutional right to a fair trial is at stake,” defense attorney Todd Blanche said. “Many of the potential jurors already wrongfully believe that President Trump is guilty.”
Jury selection for the trial is currently scheduled to get underway April 15 in New York City.
(WASHINGTON) — President Joe Biden gave remarks Tuesday on the Baltimore bridge collapse, telling residents “we’re going to stay with you as long as it takes.”
“It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstruction in that bridge. I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said from the White House.
“This is going to take some time,” the president said, adding, “We’re not leaving until this job gets done.”
Personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, and local authorities were able to close the bridge before it was struck, “which undoubtedly saved lives,” Biden told reporters.
A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.
A search-and-rescue effort is underway, with divers and emergency personnel desperately combing the Patapsco River for people believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid water below, officials said. At least six people are unaccounted for, officials said.
It appears the crash was a “terrible accident,” Biden said.
He said the search and rescue operation is the top priority.
Biden, who noted he’s been over the bridge many times, said he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.
“Ship traffic and the port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we’ll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume,” the president said.
“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved one right now,” Biden said. “I know every minute in that circumstance feels like a lifetime, you just don’t know. It’s just terrible.”
“We’re incredibly grateful for the brave rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene and to the people of Baltimore. I want to say, we’re with you,” the president said. “We’re going to stay with you, as long as it takes. And like the governor said, ‘you’re Maryland tough, you’re Baltimore strong and we’re going to get through this together.'”
Biden convened senior members of his team Tuesday morning for a briefing on the ongoing response and directed them to ensure all federal resources are made available, the White House said.
ABC News’ Mariam Khan, Kevin Shalvey and Emily Shapiro contributed to this report.
(BALTIMORE) — A cargo ship crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning, causing a near-total collapse of the span and halting vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore.
A search-and-rescue effort is underway, with divers and emergency personnel desperately combing the Patapsco River for people believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid water below, officials said. At least six people are unaccounted for, officials said.
Mar 26, 3:00 PM What to know about the collapse
The container ship Dali struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, partially collapsing the bridge, officials in Maryland said.
A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
The crash appeared to be accidental, not intentional, officials said.
Two people were rescued from the Patapsco River and at least six people remain missing, officials said.
Mar 26, 2:28 PM Buttigieg meets with responders
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg traveled to the scene of the Baltimore bridge collapse, at the invitation of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, according to the Department of Transportation.
Buttigieg posted a photo of him meeting with responders.
An estimated 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge per day, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Mar 26, 1:38 PM Personnel on ship alerted officials before collision ‘which undoubtedly saved lives’: Biden
Personnel on the ship alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they lost control of the vessel, and officials were able to close the bridge before it was struck, “which undoubtedly saved lives,” President Joe Biden told reporters.
It appears the crash was a “terrible accident,” Biden said.
He said the search and rescue operation is the top priority.
“Ship traffic and the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice. And we’ll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume,” he said.
“It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstruction. … I expect the Congress to support my effort,” Biden said.
“This is going to take some time,” the president said, adding, “We’re not leaving until this job gets done.”
Biden, who noted he’s been over the bridge many times, said he plans to visit Baltimore as soon as possible.
“Our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families, especially those waiting for news of their loved one right now,” the president said. “To the people of Baltimore, I want to say: We’re with you. We’re going to stay with you, as long as it takes.”
Mar 26, 12:34 PM No cars transiting bridge at time of collapse: Internal DHS briefing
Maryland transportation officials reviewed traffic cameras and confirmed there were “no vehicles transiting the bridge at the time of the incident,” according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.
The local pilot who was at the controls is “undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing,” the briefing said.
The cargo ship “remains impaled in the bridge,” the document said. “Several shipping containers with unknown cargo fell into water. There is hull damage above the water line to the vessel and the ship is maintaining watertight integrity.”
A slight sheen of pollution was observed in the water, suggesting there could be some oil or other pollutant “in the vicinity of the ship and pollution booms have been requested,” the memo said.
-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky
Mar 26, 11:00 AM 6 unaccounted for
Six people remain unaccounted for as the desperate search continues at the site of the bridge collapse, Coast Guard officials said at a Tuesday morning news conference.
Two were rescued, including one who was hospitalized and later discharged, officials said. Construction workers were on the bridge working on potholes at the time of the collapse, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said.
“To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it’s shocking and heartbreaking,” Moore said. “It’s not just unprecedented, what we’re seeing today — it’s heartbreaking.”
The collapse appears to be an accident, Moore said.
There’s nothing to suggest ties to terrorism, the FBI added.
The container ship was moving at 8 knots, which is considered fast, officials noted.
A local pilot was at the helm of the ship at the time, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
A harbor pilot and assistant onboard the cargo ship reported power issues, multiple alarms on the bridge and loss of propulsion prior to the incident, according to a Coast Guard memo obtained by ABC News. All personnel on the tanker are accounted for with no reported injuries, the memo said.
The Patapsco River channel is fully blocked, with approximately five inbound and seven outbound vessels in the queue for the next 24 hours, according to the memo.
The bridge was up to code, officials said.
Mar 26, 10:46 AM What to know about the cargo ship
The Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Dali, spans a length of 984 feet and a width of 157 feet, a listing showed. It holds 22 crew members, all of whom are based in India.
The ship departed from the Port of Baltimore at 1 a.m. on Tuesday, embarking on a 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship “lost propulsion” as it was leaving the port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision, according to officials.
The waterway into and out of the port is closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the Mid-Atlantic.
Mar 26, 9:47 AM Governor declares state of emergency
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
“We are working with an interagency team to quickly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore said in a statement.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also declared a local state of emergency.
Mar 26, 9:28 AM The history of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge
The 1.6-mile bridge on the I-695 beltway crosses the Patapsco River, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the words of the U.S. national anthem in 1814, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Key, after whom the bridge was named, was also an advisor to Andrew Jackson, served as the District Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1833 to 1841, and was a slave owner, according to the National Park Service.
Construction on the bridge, which was intended to ease traffic and maintenance concerns regarding the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel that serviced the waterway, began in 1972 and finished in March 1977, according to the MDTA.
Mar 26, 8:36 AM 1 person hospitalized in very serious condition
Two people have been rescued from the water and crews are still searching for others, fire officials said.
One person rescued has been taken to a hospital in very serious condition, Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace said.
The second rescued person denied medical treatment.
Mar 26, 8:30 AM ‘No indications this was an intentional act,’ Mayorkas says
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said “there are no indications this was an intentional act,” adding, “we are assessing the impacts to the Port of Baltimore.”
“Our thoughts are with the families of the missing and injured,” he said.
The Coast Guard is “actively involved in search and rescue operations,” he said.
Mar 26, 8:09 AM Biden briefed on collapse
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the ongoing search and rescue efforts, according to a White House official. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day, the official said.
Senior White House officials have been in touch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor to offer any federal assistance they need, the administration said.
-ABC News’ Selina Wang and Molly Nagle
Mar 26, 7:32 AM Ship lost propulsion, warned of collision, CISA report says
An unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency report said the container ship Dali “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port and warned Maryland officials of a possible collision.
The crew notified officials that they had lost control, the report said.
“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.”
The waterway into and out of the port has been closed and there is no other route into the port, which is the second busiest port in the mid-Atlantic.
-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney, Aaron Katersky and Kevin Shalvey
Mar 26, 7:15 AM Cargo ship company says all crew members safe
The owners and managers of the cargo ship Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, said all crew members had been accounted for following the crash.
“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.
The company said the 22 crew members, including the pilots, were based in India.
The 984-foot ship is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, the statement said.
The cause of the crash is “yet to be determined,” the statement said.
-ABC News’ Jenny Wagnon Courts, Laura Romero and Kevin Shalvey
Mar 26, 6:05 AM Secretary Buttigieg offers DOT support
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that he’s spoken with local officials to offer support.
“I’ve spoken with Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott to offer USDOT’s support following the vessel strike and collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge,” he said. “Rescue efforts remain underway and drivers in the Baltimore area should follow local responder guidance on detours and response.”
For approximately $70, you can now own a share of the company behind former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social platform.
Trading in Trump Media & Technology Group — which uses the ticker symbol DJT — began on the Nasdaq Tuesday morning after last week’s vote for a merger between Trump Media and special purpose acquisition company Digital World Acquisition Corporation.
The company’s market capitalization is approximately $2.7 billion.
Trump himself owns 58 percent of the shares in the company, placing his stake at more than $5 billion based on early trading Tuesday.
“Truth Social is doing very well. It’s hot as a pistol and doing great,” Trump told reporters in New York on Monday.
Trump can’t sell or leverage his stake in the company for at least six months due to a lockup provision intended to prevent a rapid selloff that could shake investor confidence, but the company has already bolstered Trump’s net worth. On the heels of Friday’s merger vote, Trump joined the Bloomberg Billionaires Index for the first time with a reported net worth of $6.5 billion.
In public statements, Trump Media CEO Devin Nunes has expressed confidence in the long-term success of the social media platform.
“As a public company, we will passionately pursue our vision to build a movement to reclaim the Internet from Big Tech censors,” Nunes said Monday. “We will continue to fulfill our commitment to Americans to serve as a safe harbor for free expression and to stand up to the ever-growing army of speech suppressors.”
Trump Media has a long road before it reaches profitability, according to a recent SEC filing, and most new social media companies face a low likelihood of success. In the first nine months of 2023, Trump Media brought in less than $3.4 million in revenue while losing $49 million.
Shares in the special purpose acquisition company Digital World Acquisition Corp have performed well in recent months ahead of the merger, partially due a support from smaller investors rallying the price.
Trump himself is intertwined with the fate of the company as not only its majority shareholder but also the platform’s most prominent user. If he were to stop using the platform, its share would likely suffer, a recent SEC filing acknowledged.
“If Truth Social fails to develop and maintain followers or a sufficient audience, if adverse trends develop in the social media platforms generally, or if President Trump were to cease to be able to devote substantial time to Truth Social, TMTG’s business would be adversely affected,” a recent filing said.
Capitol Police on Tuesday morning arrested 13 protesters who were demonstrating against the Supreme Court’s examination of restrictions to the abortion pill mifepristone.
The Supreme Court justices on Tuesday are hearing arguments over whether the Food and Drug Administration lawfully relaxed restrictions to make it easier to access the drug to end a pregnancy. Mifepristone, the first pill taken in a two-drug regimen for a medication abortion, is the most common method of abortion in the country.
Capitol Police said the 13 protesters were moving around the Capitol grounds and “illegally blocking roads and then a walkway.”
“Our officers warned the group to stop blocking the walkway or they would be arrested. They refused, so our officers arrested them,” a Captiol Police spokesperson said.
Throughout the morning, there were large competing demonstrations outside the building. Small groups of pro-abortion rights demonstrators staged sit-ins on sidewalks and roadways.
It’s not yet clear if the protesters were part of a specific group.
