WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Authorities in Maryland have transitioned to recovery operations at the site of the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge.
Six construction workers are presumed dead after a ship hit the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday morning.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore says this cargo ship lost power and sent out an emergency mayday call.
“Our state is in shock,” said Moore.
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The search for six missing workers was suspended as night fell, the water was deemed too cold and the effort too long for anyone to survive.
“Very difficult water temperatures. You have structures from the bridge there in the water that can move with the tides and currents,” said Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, Commander Fifth Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard.
President Biden sent federal officials from the FBI, Army Corp of Engineers to help local leaders and the transportation department.
“This is an excruciating day for several families,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
President Biden says he wants the federal government to cover the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge.
“The people of Baltimore we will stick with them at every step of the way,” Biden said.
The busy port of Baltimore remains closed to shipping until all the debris is removed from the river.
Baltimore is also the No. 1 automobile port in the U.S. This will impact about $80 billion in cargo that travels to and from one of America’s busiest ports.
