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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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 30, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT

1st portions of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will be lifted Saturday

The first portions of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will be lifted out of the water on Saturday, marking the start of attempts to clear the channel to access to the Port of Baltimore, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced.

"The north sections of the Key Bridge are going to be cut up and removed, this will eventually allow us to open up a temporary restricted channel that will help us to get more vessels in the water, around the sight of the collapse," Moore said.

Cranes begin the clean-up of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge and the container ship Dali, in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 30, 2024.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

"This restricted channel will allow barges, tug boats, and other smaller marine vessels to get around the wreckage. Once these portions are removed, the Army Corps of Engineers and its partners will need to reevaluate and assess the integrity of the wreckage before more sections are removed," Moore said.

The first portions of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will be lifted out of the water on Saturday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced.
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1st portions of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will be lifted SaturdayThe first portions of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will be lifted out of the water on Saturday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced.
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-ABC News' Davone Morales

Mar 29, 2024, 11:22 PM EDT

Unified Command plans to dispatch an additional 7 cranes, 10 tugs and 8 barges

The Unified Command dispatched the Chesapeake 1000 early Friday morning and plans to dispatch an additional seven cranes, 10 tugs and nine barges over the next 120 hours.

-ABC News’ Sam Sweeney

Mar 29, 2024, 4:28 PM EDT

3 crane barges from US Navy arrive in Baltimore, 4th coming next week

Three cranes from the U.S. Navy have arrived in Baltimore to remove submerged portions of the bridge, and a fourth crane is set to arrive next week, the Navy said.

The Chesapeake has a 1,000-ton lift capacity, the Ferrell has a 200-ton lift capacity and the Oyster Bay has a 150-ton lift capacity, the Navy said.

The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge is shown after being struck by a cargo ship on March 26, 2024 in Edgemere, Md.
Kena Betancur/Getty Images

"Work will focus on disassembling and removing the bridge section by section. The disassembled pieces will be lifted onto barges, which will then be transported away," the Navy said in a statement. "An additional 12 crane and support vessels to include tugs, survey, dive and crew boats, are in the mobilization process and will arrive to Baltimore in the coming days."

Mar 29, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT

Freight nearly size of Eiffel Tower, shipping containers 'ripped in half as if they were papier-maché'

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Friday outlined several goals in the aftermath of the bridge collapse, describing the scope of the disaster as a freight nearly the size of the Eiffel Tower "with the Key Bridge resting on top of it," and shipping containers "ripped in half as if they were papier-maché."

Moore told reporters the Unified Command continues to focus on recovery efforts to help bring "closure" to victims’ families.

A search team uses a remotely operated underwater vehicle to look at the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was destroyed when a cargo ship collided with it earlier this week, on March 29, 2024 in Baltimore.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

He said as soon as conditions in the water are safe enough, divers will go back in the water to look for the four victims who are still missing.

Another priority is clearing the blocked channel, he said, stressing that the Port of Baltimore must reopen for the "health" of the Maryland economy and U.S. economy.

Moore also promised to rebuild the bridge, and to take care of everyone impacted by the crisis, including the families, workers, businesses and first responders.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore says rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will wait for the wreckage to be cleared.
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Gov. Moore: 'We are going to rise to meet this moment'Maryland Governor Wes Moore says rebuilding the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge will wait for the wreckage to be cleared.
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