Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Temporary channel opens for boats working on bridge response

The cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday.

ByEmily Shapiro, Kevin Shalvey, Meredith Deliso, Riley Hoffman, and Nadine El-Bawab

Last Updated: April 1, 2024, 3:31 PM EDT

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.

Six construction workers are believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below. The bodies of two of the victims have been recovered so far, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

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Apr 01, 2024, 3:31 PM EDT
Channel needs to be cleared more in order to recover 4 remaining victims
Apr 01, 2024, 12:48 PM EDT
Biden to visit bridge on Friday
Apr 01, 2024, 12:33 PM EDT
Temporary channel opens

Here's how the news is developing.

Mar 27, 2024, 7:05 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 steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the bridge collapsed, Baltimore, March 26, 2024.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

The crash appeared to be accidental, not intentional, officials said.

Two construction workers were rescued and six went missing in the immediate aftermath of the collapse, officials said. The bodies of two of the victims were recovered from the water on Wednesday amid ongoing search and recovery efforts, while four remain missing and are presumed dead, officials said.

Mar 26, 2024, 9:28 AM EDT

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.

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History of Francis Scott Key BridgeThe bridge, which was completed in 1975, spans 1.6 miles over the Patapsco River in Maryland.

WJLA

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.

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Mar 26, 2024, 8:36 AM EDT

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.

A view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, March 26, 2024.
Julia Nikhinson/Reuters

The second rescued person denied medical treatment.

“We may be looking for upwards of seven individuals,” according Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace.

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Baltimore bridge collapse search yields two rescues“We may be looking for upwards of seven individuals,” according Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace.

WJLA

Mar 26, 2024, 8:30 AM EDT

'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.

A view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, after the Dali cargo vessel crashed into it causing it to collapse, in Baltimore, March 26, 2024.
Julia Nikhinson/Reuters

The Coast Guard is "actively involved in search and rescue operations," he said.

Mar 26, 2024, 8:09 AM EDT

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.

ABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang shares the latest on the White House’s response following the partial collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

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White House ‘closely monitoring’ Baltimore bridge collapseABC News senior White House correspondent Selina Wang shares the latest on the White House’s response following the partial collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

ABCNews.com

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.