March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

Dive teams from various state and local agencies were brought in to assist in the search-and-recover operation after the collapse of the Baltimore bridge, Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. said at a news conference.

Sonar was also used as part of the search and rescue operation, he added.

"From the outset, we’ve moved all those resources in,” Butler explained. “We’re doing our best in some very difficult times and difficult conditions.” 

The headline has been updated on this post.

The Coast Guard is ending its active search and rescue operation for the six unaccounted people who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed.

Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said that based on the length of time since the bridge collapsed and the water temperatures "we do not believe that we are going to find any of these individuals still alive."

The bridge collapsed at around 1:30 a.m. ET after a container ship hit the pillar. The active search-and-rescue efforts were suspended around 7:30 p.m. ET, Gilreath said.

Gilreath emphasized the Coast Guard is not leaving, but said it is “just going to transition to a different phase.”

US Sen. Chris Van Hollen described Tuesday as a "tragic day" in Baltimore during an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer Tuesday evening. 

Van Hollen praised workers who stopped traffic after receiving the ship's mayday signal.

"The effort goes on to search for those who are missing," Van Hollen said , but added "the immediate issue besides the search and rescue is opening up that channel."

"I understand there are about four ships in the port that can't get out, I understand there were about 20 ships that were waiting to come in," Van Hollen said. 

Van Hollen said there are thousands of workers employed at the Port of Baltimore, and "tens of thousands more depend on what is one of the most vibrant ports in the country, the biggest port for automobiles."

According to Van Hollen, Maryland plans to access the Emergency Relief Fund within the Federal Highway Administration, though that won't be enough to rebuild the bridge — "That will be long and expensive," Van Hollen said.  

Van Hollen said he is in communication with his Senate colleagues and plans to work with the House on relief efforts.

At least six people are presumed dead following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse Tuesday in Baltimore, according to reporting from The Baltimore Sun.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders called the news “a terrible, terrible, unforeseen tragedy.”

Two people were pulled from the Patapsco River, the Baltimore fire chief previously said Tuesday.

Earlier, family members of workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse spoke with CNN at Brawner Builders construction agency, where they were picking up vehicles belonging to their relatives.

CNN has reached out to Brawner Builders for comment.  

Carnival Cruise Line will temporarily move operations to Norfolk, Virginia, while rescue and cleanup efforts continue at the Key Bridge collapse site, the company said in a news release.

The Carnival Legend is supposed to return from its current sailing on March 31 and will now return to Norfolk. Guests will be bused back to Baltimore, the release said. 

The next sailing will operate from and return to Norfolk, the company added.

Faith leaders from across the city and residents joined Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and other city officials at a vigil Tuesday to pray for the victims and families of those missing after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church was filled with hymns sung by attendees following Senior Pastor Elder Rashad A. Singletary’s request for prayers for civic leaders, first responders and those affected by the collapse.

“We come as a community to pray — not only to pray but to provide support,” Singletary said. 

Scott told attendees a lot of prayer is needed at this moment. 

Scott said holding families in prayer is important at this time because "we can only imagine what is going through their minds and through their hearts and through their bodies.”

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who also spoke at the vigil, told attendees he is thankful that state leaders and President Joe Biden have reached out in support during this time.  

Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said the team responding to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse continues to grow as an active marine search operation is underway.

The mission started with 50 personnel including eight dive teams and continues to grow, Wallace told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Tuesday. 

Sonar has been used to mark vehicles that have been found in the water, Wallace said. 

One patient was transported to a local trauma center and is in serious condition, Wallace said, while another person who was on the bridge refused service and wasn’t injured.

Wallace said harbor containment boom has been placed around the vessel to try to contain the oil sheen. He said they smelled diesel fuel early this morning when it was still dark before they could actually see the sheen.

Authorities shared updates on the investigation along with the search-and-rescue operation underway after the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Here's all the critical details:

Baltimore's mayor on Tuesday said the focus in the city remains on the search for the six people still unaccounted for after the bridge collapse earlier in the day.

“This is an unthinkable and unspeakable tragedy,” Mayor Brandon Scott told CNN's Phil Mattingly.

First responders are still “actively looking” for six people, the mayor said, noting that the bridge is iconic in Baltimore and that many residents don't recall a time when it wasn't visible in the harbor.

The Key Bridge, built in the 1970s, served as the outermost crossing of the Baltimore Harbor.

When asked about rebuilding, Scott said: