National News

Baltimore's Key Bridge may have lacked collision protective measures for modern cargo ships: Experts

Via NTSB

(BALTIMORE) -- In the wake of the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, engineering and infrastructure policy experts explained the critical need for bridge reform in the United States and an international standard for large cargo ships.

The Key Bridge partially collapsed early Tuesday morning after a massive cargo ship collided with one of the bridge's support columns, sending vehicles into the Patapsco River below and leaving six people unaccounted for, according to officials.

The investigation into the cause of both the collision and the bridge collapse is ongoing, officials said.

Rick Geddes, infrastructure policy expert and director of the Cornell University Infrastructure Policy Program, weighed in on the infrastructure and safety of the Key Bridge.

"This disaster reveals how exposed America's critical infrastructure is to sudden and devastating accidents as well as intentional destruction," Geddes said in a statement to ABC News. "I think the bridge was not designed to take the force and the mass of an enormous cargo ship directly hitting one of the pylons," Geddes said in an interview with ABC News.

Pylons, or piers, are the critical load-bearing components of cable-supported bridges, such as Baltimore's Key Bridge, a 1.6-mile-long, continuous truss-style bridge, according to Geddes.

Modern protective measures for bridge piers include adding "fenders," which are protection systems designed to protect the bridge from vessels transiting under or in the vicinity of the bridge, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Fenders on modern bridges include "dolphins," which are large circular walls filled with material such as sand or concrete and "artificial islands," armored artificial islands around the piers made of a sand core that is protected against wave and current action by armored slope protection, according to the Coast Guard.

However, it is not yet known whether or not the Baltimore Key Bridge had fenders at the time of the crash.

The Maryland Transportation Authority did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for a comment.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also weighed in on the bridge's ability to withstand a massive cargo ship collision Wednesday, "What we do know is a bridge like this one completed in the 1970s was simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds," he said during a press briefing.

"Right now, I think there's a lot of debate taking place in the engineering community about whether or not any of those features could have had any role in a situation like this," Buttigieg added.

The 984-feet-long and 157-feet-wide cargo ship -- operated by Synergy Marine Group and named Dali -- was moving at a speed of 8 knots, or about 9 mph, when it struck the bridge, according to officials.

"So it's a tremendous force, that the bridge would have to be designed to absorb," Geddes said, adding, "It clearly was not designed to take that."

Construction of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge began in 1972 and finished in March 1977, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).

Maria Lehman, former president of the American Society of Civil Engineers, told ABC News that older bridges are not designed with the post Panama Canal expansion ship allowances in mind.

In 2016, the Panama Canal expansion project constructed pathways -- on both the Atlantic and Pacific ends of the canal -- that are 70 feet wider and 18 feet deeper, to accommodate larger cargo ships.

Lehman said because Baltimore's Key Bridge was created with smaller cargo ships in mind, it was "inadequate for what we see with ships today."

"Pier protection on long-span bridges that have been built within the last decade are in line with what you're gonna need based on how heavy these new ships are," Lehman said.

Lehman said the news of the Key Bridge collapse Tuesday reminded her of the 1980 Sunshine Skyway Bridge collapse in Tampa, Florida, which she said was a "very similar" bridge and spurred a "base standard for pier protection" in the United States.

In May 1980, the M/V Summit Venture freighter struck a support beam on the Skyway Bridge causing a major collapse that left 35 people dead. The now 44-year-old tragedy spurred changes to the engineering of bridges that have been built since, according to Lehman.

Three years after the Skyway Bridge incident, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration released a technical advisory titled "Pier Protection and Warning Systems for Bridges Subject to Ship Collisions"

In the 1983 advisory, the agency noted, "It may be extremely difficult to retrofit some existing bridge piers with protective systems. For this reason, it becomes particularly important to recognize the potential hazards from ship collisions and to locate and design piers on new bridges in such a way that the risks of collision are reduced to an acceptable level."

Baltimore's Key Bridge was constructed in 1977 and did not have the protected pier measures that bridges built in the decades since this advisory.

"Unless you're doing a major retrofit of any piece of infrastructure, you don't have to bring it up to code," Lehman said, adding that the Key Bridge collapse is a "wake-up" call for better bridge infrastructure and reform.

"I think just like Sunshine Skyway was a wake-up call, I think this is the next wake-up call," Lehman said, adding, "We're going to have to take a look closely at the results of what happened, and then work on the plan. So it never happens again."

In June 2023, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced the construction of the Delaware Memorial Bridge Protection System.

"Our goal is to take preemptive measures to prevent a commercial vessel from striking one of the bridge towers, which could cause significant damage to the bridge infrastructure and disruptions to interstate travel," Thomas J. Cook, executive director of the DRBA said in a press release.

The cost of the project is nearly $93 million, according to the release.

Rick Geddes hopes the devastation from the Key Bridge collapse will spur great reform in America's bridge infrastructure safety.

"The real possibility of a massive container ship of this size, running into a bridge pylon, and causing the bridge collapse is no longer theoretical," Geddes said. "I think a renewed effort to inspect and assess the state of a whole bunch of U.S. bridges will be the result of this accident."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Illinois stabbing spree leaves 4 dead, 1 in critical condition; suspect in custody, officials say

Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

(ROCKFORD, Ill.) -- An adult male allegedly stabbed multiple victims in the Rockford, Illinois area on Wednesday, leaving four people dead, one in critical condition and four others in stable condition, authorities said in a press conference Wednesday.

A postal worker is among the four individuals who died, Rockford Police confirmed.

Late Wednesday night, police said in a release that the deceased included a 15-year-old female, a 63-year-old female, a 49-year-old male and a 22-year-old male.

Rockford police said the suspect, who is 22, was taken into custody at 1:35 p.m. There is no known motive at this time.

The attacks took place before 1:15 p.m., local time, near Holmes Street, Cleveland Avenue and Eggleston Road, according to authorities, who noted this was a "multi-jurisdictional crime scene."

Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana said there was a home invasion near the intersection of Florence and Eggleston Road. A young woman who fled from the residence with stab wounds in her hands and face is in critical condition, Caruana said. He added that she is currently intubated.

A "Good Samaritan" who stopped to help the woman was also allegedly stabbed by the suspect, Caruana said, but that individual is among those in stable condition.

"Words can't even express my thoughts right now; this a pretty painstaking event," Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said, adding, "This was a heinous crime."

Redd noted that not all of the victims were stabbed in the string of attacks, and there were no gunshot victims.

ABC News' Darren Reynolds contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Judge to rule by April 17 on defense motions in Hunter Biden tax case

Anna Moneymaker / Staff / Getty Images

(LOS ANGELES) -- The federal judge overseeing Hunter Biden's tax case in California heard several defense motions to dismiss the charges Wednesday, and said afterward that he would issue rulings by April 17.

After a relatively civil start to the hearing, tensions escalated as defense attorney Abbe Lowell and prosecutor Leo Wise bickered and, at times, approached open hostility -- ultimately drawing a response from the judge.

Wise repeatedly said Lowell could not make an argument on the merits of the case "other than insulting us," and invoked what he referred to as "the old adage: if you can't argue the facts, argue the law ... and if you can't argue the law, attack the prosecutors."

The frequent bickering prompted Judge Mark Scarsi to remind the parties that "we're just looking at the facts and the law .... aspersions cast on each other roll off."

Hunter Biden did not attend the hearing.

Special counsel David Weiss has accused Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, of failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars of income he earned from overseas business ventures. A sprawling 56-page indictment filed in December described in vivid detail how Hunter Biden, in the throes of drug and alcohol addiction, spent recklessly on women, clothing and adult entertainment.

"In short, everything but his taxes," prosecutors wrote.

The back taxes and penalties were subsequently paid in full by a third party, identified by ABC News as Hunter Biden's attorney and confidant, Kevin Morris. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At Wednesday's hearing, Judge Scarsi appeared skeptical of several of Hunter Biden's motions to dismiss, especially the motion to toss counts 1-4 on the basis that the charges were brought in the wrong venue.

Lowell argued that Hunter Biden was a resident of Washington, D.C., and Delaware in the calendar year 2018, which he said would make it improper to charge several counts in California.

Judge Scarsi repeatedly expressed that it was not the court's role to weigh in on factual matters -- that it was a matter for a jury to decide. He told Lowell he was "hamstrung" and "that's the rub."

"I don't think there's anything this court can do pretrial," Judge Scarsi said.

The judge also pressed Lowell about his claim that the indictment was the result of a "selective and vindictive" prosecution.

"There doesn't seem to be any evidence" that efforts by Republicans to pressure special counsel Weiss "influenced the prosecutors' decision other than the timeline," Judge Scarsi said -- likening the motion to some "smoke" but without sufficient "fire."

Lowell conceded that he had no direct evidence, but asked the court to investigate the matter further and "connect the dots." He repeatedly sparred with Judge Scarsi over the significance of a timeline he'd filed -- which included allegations made by House Republicans and two IRS whistleblowers in an effort to demonstrate that Weiss buckled to political pressure.

"It's a timeline, but it's a pretty juicy timeline," Lowell said.

Derek Hines, an attorney in Weiss' office, called Lowell's timeline theories "absolutely outrageous accusations" and a "fallacy."

Lowell, earlier in the hearing, argued that "the whole" of his eight motions to dismiss the case "is actually greater than the sum of its parts."

Wise called elements of Hunter Biden's pleadings "revisionist history" and "effectively fact-free."

The charges, which carry a penalty of up to 17 years in prison, include six misdemeanor charges and three felonies, including alleged tax evasion and filing a false return.

Judge Scarsi has scheduled the trial to begin on June 20.

Hunter Biden has also pleaded not guilty to three additional firearm-related charges brought by Weiss' office in Delaware. That case is expected to go to trial in early June.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: Dad of 3 who lived in Maryland for 19 years among missing workers

Via NTSB

(BALTIMORE) -- The bodies of two construction workers have been recovered while four others remain missing and are presumed dead after a cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending the workers into the water.

Eight workers were fixing potholes on the span when the ship hit the bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. The workers plunged into the frigid water, and two were rescued, officials said.

Search and rescue efforts for the workers were suspended Tuesday evening, with operations shifting to a recovery phase, officials said.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath told reporters Tuesday evening.

The bodies of two of the workers were recovered Wednesday morning, police said. They were found by divers trapped in a red pickup truck that was submerged in approximately 25 feet of water near the middle span of the bridge, Maryland State Police said.

The victims were identified by police as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, a native of Mexico who lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, a native of Guatemala who lived in Dundalk.

Two of the missing workers were also from Guatemala and Mexico, according to their respective foreign ministries. Their names were not released. The missing worker from Guatemala was a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the country's foreign ministry said.

Among the missing is construction worker Miguel Luna, a native of El Salvador, according to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that works with immigrants.

Luna "is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years," the organization said in a press release.

He "left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home," the organization said.

Another missing victim was identified as Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a father of two who migrated from Honduras over 17 years ago, according to Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA, an immigration and Latino advocacy-and-assistance organization.

He dreamed of starting a small business and brought joy and humor to his family, Torres told reporters on Wednesday.

ABC News' Kristina Abovyan and Dhanika Pineda contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Fani Willis, responding to House Judiciary subpoena, vows to bring Trump's election case to trial

Alex Slitz/AP/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(ATLANTA) -- Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis vowed to bring former President Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case to trial in a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, arguing that her office has fully complied with a congressional subpoena related to a federal funding probe.

"[N]othing that you do will derail the efforts of my staff and I to bring the election interference prosecution to trial so that a jury of Fulton County citizens can determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants," Willis wrote in the letter, which was sent on Monday.

The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee in February issued a subpoena to Willis for documents related to her office's use of federal funds intended to support at-risk youth, according to a copy of the subpoena obtained by ABC News.

Earlier this month, Jordan warned that if Willis' office failed to turn over related documents by March 28, he would consider "taking further action, such as the invocation of contempt of Congress proceedings."

In her letter responding to Jordan, Willis wrote "I categorically reject" the assertion that her office is deficient in complying with the subpoena.

Willis said that her office was turning over additional information but pushed back on the idea that all the requested materials could reasonably be turned over by the following day.

"That demand is unreasonable and uncustomary and would require this government office to divert resources from our primary purpose of prosecuting crime," she said.

Willis added that her office plans to turn over an additional production of records in the coming weeks.

"Let me be clear, while we are abiding by your subpoena in good faith and with due diligence, we will not divert resources that undermine our duty to the people of Fulton County to prosecute felonies committed in this jurisdiction," Willis said. "We will not shut down this office's efforts to prosecute crime -- including gang activity, acts of violence and public corruption -- to meet unreasonable deadlines in your politically motivated 'investigation' of this office."

"My family, my staff and I have been threatened repeatedly by people making violent, often racist, attacks," she wrote. "Neither those threats, nor anything your colleagues and you say or do, will deter us from fulfilling our duty to bring this case to trial."

"My family, my staff and I have been threatened repeatedly by people making violent, often racist, attacks," she wrote. "Neither those threats, nor anything your colleagues and you say or do, will deter us from fulfilling our duty to bring this case to trial."

Trump and 18 others pleaded not guilty last August to all charges in a sweeping racketeering indictment for alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state of Georgia. Four defendants subsequently took plea deals in exchange for agreeing to testify against other defendants.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Man sentenced to 11 months in prison for voicemail threats to Nancy Pelosi, Alejandro Mayorkas: DOJ

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(WASHINGTON) -- A California man was sentenced to 11 months in prison for making threatening calls to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.

David Carrier, 44, of Concord, had pleaded guilty to two counts of making threats against public officials in December 2023.

Federal prosecutors had only sought a sentence of four years of probation for Carrier, noting he quickly accepted guilt and acknowledged his "lapse of judgment" in making the threats, according to a sentencing memorandum filed last week.

The judge overseeing his case ultimately disagreed. In addition to the 11-month prison sentence, Judge William Alsup ordered Carrier to three years of probation as well as requiring him to seek mental and substance abuse treatment upon his release during a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors said.

Carrier left a voicemail with Pelosi's San Francisco office on Jan. 21, 2021, the day after President Joe Biden's inauguration, according to federal prosecutors.

"You better resign, you piece of f------ s---," Carrier said in his voicemail to Pelosi's office, according to the sentencing memorandum. "Cause we got a bullet and a rope with your f------ name on it. We're gonna f------ get you b----."

An intern who initially heard the message perceived it as a threat and forwarded it to her bosses, who subsequently forwarded the voicemail to law enforcement for investigation, according to prosecutors.

More than a year later, he made threatening calls to Mayorkas, prosecutors said. According to the sentencing memorandum, on June 30, 2022, he told an operator with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General to relay the following message: "If [Mayorkas] does not close the border someone is going to be shot. And it will be illegal immigrants."

Later that day, he left a voicemail with the DHS general hotline stating, according to the sentencing memorandum, "Tell that f--- Mayorkas to close the border before we citizens start killing those f------ illegal immigrants or we come looking for him and feed him to the dogs."

The voicemail message was perceived as a threat and forwarded to law enforcement for investigation, prosecutors said.

"Participating in the public political conversation is an important right for all citizens. Nevertheless, threatening our public servants is not protected by the First Amendment and corrodes our ability to engage in peaceful and important public discourse," U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement. "This Office will not tolerate behavior that crosses the line to criminal threats."

ABC News has reached out to Carrier's attorney for comment on the sentencing.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Baltimore Key Bridge collapse live updates: 'Dozens' of deaths may have been avoided

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(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.

Six construction workers believed to have fallen from the collapsing bridge into the frigid waters of the Patapsco River below are presumed dead, officials said. A search-and-rescue effort has been suspended and will shift to a recovery mission, officials said.

Here's how the news is developing:

Mar 27, 4:22 PM
Timeline shows moments before cargo ship collision

At 1 a.m., the 984-foot-long, Singapore-flagged cargo ship pulled out of its berth at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, southeast of downtown Baltimore, and started to head up the Patapsco River toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to the vessel's tracking data.

At 1:23 a.m., a livestream camera captured the massive ship coming into view as it approached the Key Bridge, apparently on course to pass under the 1.6-mile-long span near the middle of the bridge's cantilevered section. The footage showed light traffic on the bridge, including a tractor-trailer rig.

Mar 27, 2:27 PM
Ship's crew on board and cooperating with officials: Coast Guard

The ship's crew is still on board and is cooperating with officials, Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations for the Coast Guard, said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

The ship "had a fairly good safety record," he noted.

Gautier also stressed that "there is no threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board."

"The real critical thing here is that, as you know, a portion of the bridge remains on the bow of that ship. And we will be coordinating very closely with the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors to, first, affect the removal of that debris before the vessel can then be removed," Gautier said. "The vessel bow is sitting on the bottom because of the weight of that bridge debris on there, and there are underwater surveys happening by a remotely operated vehicle. Divers will be in the water today to complete that underwater survey."

The investigation into what caused the collision is ongoing.

"Anybody who is responsible will need to be accountable," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said.

Mar 27, 1:49 PM
'If not for several factors … loss of life might have been in the dozens': Buttigieg

"If not for several factors," including the mayday call, the first responders’ quick action and the time of the day of the collision, the "loss of life might have been in the dozens," Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said at Wednesday’s White House press briefing.

Six construction workers were killed and one was hurt when a cargo ship struck Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Work is undergoing to recover their remains and our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg said he’s concerned about the local economic impact of the Port of Baltimore’s closure.

"No matter how quickly the channel can be reopened, we know that it can't happen overnight, and so we're going to have to manage the impacts in the meantime," he said. "We’re working to mitigate some of those impacts, including using tools that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Following the disruptions to supply chains from the COVID pandemic, President Biden's infrastructure package included the establishment of a new freight office within our department to help coordinate goods movement in ways that were not possible before."

"We are using it now to help the hundreds of different private supply chain actors get better coordinated to keep goods moving," Buttigieg said.

He said he’ll be meeting Thursday with shippers and other supply chain partners to "understand their needs" during this disruption.

"That said, the port of Baltimore is an important port, so for our supply chains and for all the workers who depend on it for their income, we’re going to help to get it open as soon as safely possible," he added.

Mar 27, 1:05 PM
10 other ships stuck in Port of Baltimore

Ten ships -- not including the Dali -- are stuck inside the Port of Baltimore, according to a new update by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

They are comprised of: three bulk carriers, one vehicle carrier, three logistics naval vessels, two general cargo ships and one oil chemical tanker.

An additional vehicle carrier is in the port but outside the site of the bridge collapse.

This list does not include additional tugboats, sailboats and private yachts that are also in a holding pattern as the Port of Baltimore remains closed.

The port said Tuesday vessel traffic in and out is "suspended until further notice."

-Noah Minnie and Elizabeth Schulze

Mar 27, 12:02 PM
Ship 'experienced momentary loss of propulsion': Singapore’s port authority

Dali, the container ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, "experienced momentary loss of propulsion" just before the collision, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirmed.

The Singaporean-flagged ship underwent and passed two separate inspections in June and September 2023, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

"Based on records, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore confirms that the vessel’s required classification society and statutory certificates covering the structural integrity of the vessel and functionality of the vessel’s equipment, were valid at the time of the incident," Singapore’s port authority said.

"In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port," MPA added.

-ABC News’ Laura Romero

Mar 27, 10:30 AM
By the numbers: Vessels impacted

The closure of the waterway will immediately impact the arrival or departure of eight foreign cargo vessels and four U.S. cargo vessels, according to an updated assessment obtained by ABC News.

From March 26 to April 9, arrivals into the Port of Baltimore of an estimated two chemical tank ships, five container ships, 15 vehicle carriers and 13 bulk carriers may be impacted.

One cruise vessel is anticipated to arrive on April 4, which may also be impacted.

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:36 AM
Water unsafe for divers: DHS memo

Imagery from underwater drones show "an abundance of twisted metal and debris" from the collapsed bridge, making it unsafe for divers to enter the frigid water to search for the six missing construction workers, according to a new assessment of the situation from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by ABC News.

One truck and trailer have been recovered, and one vehicle remains hanging from the metal structure, according to DHS.

The 23 ship crew members are all accounted for, and one was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury, the document said.

With the Port of Baltimore closed to maritime traffic, transportation officials expect backups to rail and truck freight shipments as cargo shifts along the eastern seaboard, the document said.

Investigators have determined there are 13 damaged containers aboard the ship and they are being inspected for any potentially hazardous materials, DHS said.

"There is minor sheening on-scene. Booming has been ordered and is staged but will not be placed until search and rescue and dive operations are complete," the document said. "The amount of potential oil spill is 1.8M gallons of marine grade diesel."

-ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Aaron Katersky

Mar 27, 8:09 AM
Crash timeline expected today, NTSB chairwoman says

National Transportation Safety Board investigators are combing on Wednesday through a voyage-data recorder in an attempt to recreate a timeline of Tuesday's cargo-ship crash, Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chairwoman, said Wednesday.

“We do have a download from the voyage data recorder that we've sent back to our lab to evaluate the data and begin to construct a timeline of events, which we hope to have later today,” Homendy said on “Good Morning America.”

NTSB investigators, who are leading the investigation, arrived at the bridge scene at 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Twenty-four NTSB staffers were on site, including several specialising in nautical operations, human performance and engineering, Homendy said Tuesday.

She said on Wednesday that those investigators were expected later in the day to board Dali, the vessel that crashed into the bridge.

“We aren't looking at the structure today,” she said, meaning the fallen bridge. “We will be boarding the vessel at some point today to begin to look at the devastation really, and then look through the vessel itself. “

Mar 27, 7:39 AM
Investigation is urgent, but will 'take time,' Gov. Moore says

Investigators were busy working on Wednesday to discover what caused the power loss prior to the crash, but the full investigation and repair efforts will take "not days, weeks nor even months," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on Wednesday.

"This is complicated. It is difficult. But we still have to be able to move with a sense of urgency and we are going to get it done. But this is going to take time," Moore said in an interview on "Good Morning America." "This is not days, weeks nor even months."

"We still have information that we have to uncover," he said, "The thing that we do know though is that with a ship of that size, moving at that kind of clip, it was going to be difficult for that type of bridge to be able to sustain."

Moore and other government officials had met on Tuesday with the families of the missing, as the search continued.

"Had the opportunity to pray with them and pray for them," he said Tuesday. "And the strength of these families is absolutely remarkable, and we want to let them know that we are here with you every single step."

He said investigators would do everything they could to give those families peace as the search turns to a recovery mission.

"We want to let them know we will use all resources to bring them a sense of closure and peace," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 7:19 AM
Ship's force 'almost unimaginable,' Secretary Buttigieg says

The force with which a cargo ship hit Baltimore's Key Bridge on Tuesday was "just unimaginable," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Wednesday.

"What I do know is that the force of this ship is almost unimaginable," Buttigieg said on "Good Morning America." "This is a vessel that was about 100,000 tons carrying its load. So 200 million lbs. went into this bridge all at once, which is why you had that almost-instant catastrophic result."

As the U.S. works to update bridges around the country, each new generation of bridges is "more resilient than the last," Buttigieg said.

"We are at work to make sure our infrastructure for the future is better prepared for any kind of threat," he said. "Really what we saw yesterday was just unimaginable in terms of the proportion of that ship."

Buttigieg had arrived at the scene in Baltimore on Tuesday, saying at the time that the DOT's Maritime Administration would assist with disrupted port, harbor and supply chain operations.

The DOT's Federal Highway Administration will assist with the bridge, he said Tuesday.

He said his "first thoughts" were with the missing construction workers and their families.

"Now they are dealing with news that's just unthinkable," he said on "GMA."

Mar 27, 5:46 AM
Workers from Guatemala, El Salvador among missing

Construction workers originally from Guatemala and El Salvador are among the six missing after the Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore, foreign officials and local aid group said.

The two from Guatemala who are missing are a 26-year-old from San Luis, Petén, and a 35-year-old from Camotán, Chiquimula, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement. Their names were not released.

Another missing worker was identified as Miguel Luna, who is originally from El Salvador, according to Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that works with immigrants.

"Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening for work and since, has not come home," the organization said in a press release. "He is a husband, a father of three, and has called Maryland his home for over 19 years."

-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio and Kevin Shalvey

Mar 26, 7:52 PM
Search and rescue efforts to be suspended, move to recovery operation: USCG

The Coast Guard said it is suspending the search and rescue efforts as of 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for the six missing individuals after the bridge collapse.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

The conditions in the water, including low water temperatures and unpredictable currents, have made it dangerous for first responders, authorities said.

Authorities said they plan to conduct recovery efforts starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

"We're hoping to put divers in the water and begin a more detailed search to do our very best to recover those six missing people," Col. Roland Butler with the Maryland State Police said.

Mar 26, 7:08 PM
Carnival temporarily moving Baltimore operations to Norfolk

Carnival is temporarily moving its Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia, amid the rescue and remediation efforts following the bridge collapse, the cruise line said Tuesday.

"Our thoughts remain with the impacted families and first responders in Baltimore," Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said in a statement. "We appreciate the pledge made by President Biden today to dedicate all available resources to reopen Baltimore Harbor to marine traffic as soon as possible. As those plans are finalized, we will update our future cruise guests on when we will return home to Baltimore, but in the meantime, we appreciate the quick response and support from officials in Norfolk."

The move impacts the Carnival Legend ship, which is scheduled to return from its current voyage on Sunday, the company said. The cruise will return to Norfolk with free bus service back to Baltimore, Carnival 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."

-ABC News Molly Nagle

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


After HBCU administrator's suicide, alumni have 'no confidence' in leadership

Lincoln University

(OXFORD, Pa.) -- Lincoln University's alumni association has issued a statement of "no confidence" in the HBCU's Board of Curators after it reinstated President John Moseley, who was on paid, administrative leave while under investigation following the suicide of a school administrator.

University alum and vice president of student affairs Antoinette "Bonnie" Candia-Bailey died by suicide on Jan. 8. Candia-Bailey had accused Moseley of bullying, harassment and discrimination in a letter obtained by ABC News following her death. She was terminated shortly before her death.

"This decision implodes the very fabric of healing an institution's dire need for recovery and wellness," the statement from the Lincoln University Alumni Association (LUAA) reads. "This decision will continue to fester an open wound of hopelessness and despondency. No individual is above the health and well-being of the University."

An investigation -- led by attorney Ron Norwood at Lewis Rice LLC, who is a member of the governing board and was the past board president of an HBCU -- found "no claims of bullying by the University President can be substantiated" and reinstated Moseley to the position.

"No witnesses reported that they had ever witnessed President Moseley engage in bullying – and all denied having ever personally felt bullied by President Moseley," the investigation summary from the Board of Curators read.

According to the Associated Press, the Board admitted that Moseley's communication style is "direct" and that stress under his leadership has increased office tensions but they're working to address these issues.

The Board of Curators also called the administrator's death "tragic," but did not comment further on the circumstances of her death.

“As a board, we are committed to make certain the mental health of Lincoln University employees is a priority and that every employee is always treated with dignity and respect,” said Board of Curators President Victor Pasley.

Some students and alumni have protested the decision to reinstate the president and are calling for a separate investigation.

The LUAA is also calling for the Board of Curators to vacate their seats, claiming they have "brought forward irrevocable harm, shame, hopelessness and mortification" to the campus.

The Board has not yet returned ABC News' request for comment on the statement of no confidence.

ABC News has reached out to Moseley for comment as well. He told the AP that "he's grateful for the board's vote of confidence in him and that he's looking forward to returning to work at the mid-Missouri school."

"We were given a president with minimal athletic leadership abilities, and placed in a role requiring even stronger critical thinking skills," read the letter from the alumni association. "For the Board of Curators to reassert this flawed decision and to act without change in this administration is further evidence of their inadequacies to care for and protect the interest of the University's mission, and its sovereignty as a [HBCU]."

Moseley has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis, according to a university website profile. He was previously the director of athletics at the university and the head men's basketball coach before taking over the position as president, according to Moseley's LinkedIn profile. Previously, he was associate head coach at North Carolina Central University, another HBCU, according to the profile.

Candia-Bailey, 49, had previously worked as vice president of student affairs and chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, according to Lincoln University's announcement of Candia-Bailey's hiring. She also served in administrative positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Towson University, North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina State University.

Candia-Bailey began working at Lincoln University, a historically Black university in Jefferson City, Missouri, in May 2023. She received a termination letter on Jan. 3. The letter stated that she was terminated for cause, including allegations of insubordination in allowing an ineligible student to work, allowing ineligible students to obtain a discounted housing rate and failing to adhere to confidentiality requirements in a grievance matter filed by two of her subordinates.

In a letter to Moseley, Candia-Bailey detailed an apparent meeting between the two: “I couldn't even finish the meeting because you didn't hear me. I left in tears. You intentionally harassed and bullied me and got satisfaction from sitting back to determine how you would ensure I failed as an employee and proud alumna."

Candia-Bailey also alleged in the letter that she was never made aware of concerns about her performance until a November 2023 performance review and was never given an action plan to address the concerns afterward.

In the board statement on the investigation, Pasley added, "this tragedy has forced us to grapple more fully with issues facing Lincoln and our individual students and employees – ranging from mental health support to employee work and relationships."

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Several states under flood watches as heavy rain approaches East Coast

ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- The same storm system that brought flooding and hail to Georgia and Florida -- and heavy snow to the Upper Midwest -- is moving east on Wednesday.

Hail the size of pingpong balls was reported from Florida's Panhandle to southern Georgia Tuesday while 20 to 40 inches of snow fell from New Mexico to Minnesota.

After record warm winter for the Midwest, March is turning out to be the snowiest "winter" month. Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport has received more snow during the month of March, with 15.2 inches, than they did for the entire winter -- December, January and February -- with 11.1 inches.

The storm is now moving east and will bring a soaking rain from the Carolinas to Maine on Thursday.

Flood watches have already been issued from Florida to Virginia, where some areas could get up to 5 inches of rain.

In the Northeast, the heaviest rain will be from the Jersey Shore into Long Island and eastern New England, where some areas could see up to 3 inches.

The rain will continue for the Northeast into Thursday night.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Total solar eclipse could cause air travel delays: FAA

JazzIRT/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- A total solar eclipse set to deliver a stunning display in the sky on April 8 could be trouble for some air travelers and pilots due to possible flight delays, the Federal Aviation Administration warned.

The eclipse -- which will pass over Mexico, the United States and Canada -- is expected to impact air traffic and airports along the eclipse's path from April 7 until April 10, the FAA said in a notice about special air traffic procedures. This could mean delays for air travelers, too -- especially as the eclipse overlaps with spring break travel, the agency said Wednesday.

The FAA estimated that any air travel impacts from the eclipse would be felt from April 7 at 6 a.m. until April 10 at midnight.

"While most travelers are heading to their favorite vacation destinations, a significant number of travelers are heading to various states to witness 'The Great North American Eclipse' on Monday, April 8," the FAA said in a news release.

"Travelers flying along the eclipse path may encounter limited parking and potential delays at airports due to the high volume of aircraft and drones attempting to witness the total solar eclipse," the FAA said.

A total solar eclipse -- which happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun -- is a draw for many people since it can be rare. The last total solar eclipse that was visible in the U.S. took place in 2017, according to NASA.

Many travelers are planning to fly to the states where the eclipse is expected to be most visible: from Texas to New England, the FAA said. Airports in these states will be most affected, the agency said.

"Some are even planning their flights to be airborne during the actual eclipse," the FAA's Kevin Morris said.

Air travel to see the eclipse intersects with spring break travel, which the FAA predicted will make next week "the busiest of the season."

The busiest travel days are expected to be March 28, April 4 and April 5, with more than 50,000 flights expected on several of those days, the FAA said.

The FAA is working to make sure pilots are prepared for the eclipse, too, and are offering guidance to commercial and private pilots that includes anticipating larger-than-normal numbers of aircraft and drones in the area, potential delays and limited parking at some airports.

"And remember, never look directly at the sun," Morris added.

It's not safe to look directly at the sun during an eclipse without specialized eye protection for solar viewing, NASA says.

Delays and cancellations are low but can happen, the FAA said, reminding travelers to check the status of their flights and get important travel tips on the FAA website before heading to the airport.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


What we know about Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Via NTSB

(BALTIMORE) -- Just hours before the Tuesday morning commute was to get underway, the crew of a massive cargo ship leaving Baltimore harbor lost propulsion and control of the vessel, causing it to crash into a support column of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, triggering a catastrophic collapse of the 1.6-mile long span and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.

The transportation disaster unfolded about 1:35 a.m., prompting a major emergency response from Baltimore police, firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard as authorities estimated that up to 20 vehicles went into the water along with several workers who were part of a maintenance team fixing potholes on the span, officials said.

"I can tell you, our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water," Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said at a news conference early Tuesday.

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the depth of the water in the area where the crash occurred is about 50 feet.

Search and rescue efforts suspended

The Coast Guard said it would be suspending search and rescue efforts Tuesday evening and begin recovery efforts Wednesday at 6 a.m.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told reporters.

"We're hoping to put divers in the water and begin a more detailed search to do our very best to recover those six missing people," Col. Roland Butler with the Maryland State Police said.

'We're with you,' Biden tells Baltimore residents

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon from the White House, President Joe Biden said he had authorized federal resources to be used in the search and rescue operation.

"We're incredibly grateful for the brave rescuers who immediately rushed to the scene. And to the people of Baltimore, we want to say, we're with you, we're going to stay with you for as long as it takes," said Biden.

The president echoed local, state and federal officials who said investigators have found no evidence linking the incident to terrorism. Biden called it a "terrible incident and accident."

Biden pledged that the federal government would pay to replace the bridge, which was built in the 1970s at the cost of $110 million, the equivalent of $500 million in 2024 accounting for inflation.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference Tuesday morning that rescue crews are doing all they can to save lives.

"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."

The FBI, which arrived at the scene an hour after the incident, confirmed that no link to terrorism was involved, according to Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore field office.

Power issues reported before crash

Emergency officials said eight people were initially unaccounted for and two were rescued. At least six people were still missing. The University of Maryland Medical Center said it treated one patient rescued from the bridge collapse and that person had been discharged from the hospital. The other person rescued was not injured, authorities said.

Two construction workers were on the bridge at the time, officials said. One ran from the bridge and the other fell into the water and swam ashore, according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.

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 pilots were operating the ship, not the ship's captain, according to Wiedefeld.

Biden said local authorities were alerted of the pending disaster and closed the bridge to traffic before the crash, "which undoubtedly saved lives."

Officials said the container ship was moving at a speed of 8 knots, or about 9 mph, when it struck the bridge. They said the disaster could have been much worse had authorities not stopped cars from going onto the bridge.

Moore described the crash as "unprecedented."

"To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it's shocking and heartbreaking," Moore said.

All workers on the container ship were accounted for, according to the Coast Guard memo.

Moore said there were no structural issues with the bridge, saying it was "fully up to code."

It remains unclear what caused the loaded 984-foot container ship, Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, to crash into the bridge about a half hour after it began its intended journey out of the second-largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic via the Patapsco River, under the four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the amateur poet who wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" in 1814.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to Baltimore to investigate the crash.

The White House said that after learning of the incident, Biden convened senior members of his team for a briefing on the bridge collapse. During the briefing, the president directed his team to ensure all federal resources be made available to assist in the ongoing search and rescue efforts, White House officials said.

Previous deficiencies found on cargo ship

Danish shipping company Maersk chartered the Dali cargo ship, a spokesperson for the company told ABC News in a statement.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected. We can confirm that the container vessel 'DALI', operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers' cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel. We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed," the Maersk spokesperson said.

The Dali cargo ship had two deficiencies since it was built in 2015, according to records from the Electronic Quality Shipping Information System (Equasis).

The most recent deficiency was given on June 27, 2023, during an inspection in the port of San Antonio, Chile. The deficiency was for "propulsion and auxiliary machinery" concerning gauges and thermometers, according to Equasis. The other deficiency was given in 2016 for "structural conditions" concerning a damaged hull "impairing seaworthiness."

The records show that the last inspection of the container ship was on Sept. 13, 2023, in New York.

Dramatic security video captured the vessel striking one of the main support columns holding up the center cantilevered section of the bridge, causing the span to break apart in several sections and sending twisted metal into the water onto the bow of the Dali as black smoke began to pour from the vessel.

Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said.

Just minutes before the crash, the video showed traffic flowing on the bridge, but the traffic almost disappeared before impact.

After reviewing traffic cameras, Maryland transportation officials confirmed "no vehicles [were] transiting the bridge at the time of the incident," according to the latest internal Department of Homeland Security briefing obtained by ABC News.

The pilot who was at the controls of the ship "is currently undergoing post-accident Drug and Alcohol Testing," the briefing said.

The Dali "remains impaled in the bridge," the document said, adding that several shipping containers with undisclosed cargo fell into the water. There is hull damage above the water line of the vessel, but the ship is maintaining watertight integrity," according to the document.

Had the crash occurred a few hours later at the height of the morning commute the bridge would have likely been packed with commuters. The bridge is part of the heavily traveled Interstate 695 linking Baltimore to Washington, D.C. An estimated 11.5 million vehicles cross the bridge annually, or about 30,000 per day, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The bridge, which opened on March 23, 1977, had just celebrated its 47th anniversary.

The crash shut down the seaport, which serves more than 50 ocean carrier companies whose vessels make about 1,800 annual visits to the port annually, according to state officials.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Alex Grainger, Sam Sweeney and Felicia Alvarez contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Ticket sold in New Jersey matches all Mega Millions winning numbers for $1.13 billion prize

Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- A single ticket sold at a ShopRite liquor store in Neptune Township, New Jersey, had all of the winning numbers in Tuesday evening's drawing for the Mega Millions $1.13 billion jackpot.

The winning numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29, 38 and gold Mega Ball 4.

The winner has yet to come forward, according to the lottery.

Thirteen tickets from across nine of the Mega millions-eligible states matched five numbers to each win $1 million. One of those tickets was a multiplier, bumping the prize up to $2 million.

This is the sixth time the Mega Millions jackpot prize has surpassed $1 billion. Tuesday's jackpot win is the fifth-largest prize in the history of the game.

There were 30 consecutive drawings without a jackpot winner before Tuesday. The last jackpot was won on Dec. 8.

The jackpot prize has a cash value of $537.5 million, which can be offered as a one-time lump sum payment or an immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, according to Mega Millions.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets are $2 for one play.

The largest Mega Millions jackpot prize ever won was a $1.6 billion prize won on Aug. 8, 2023.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Officials stopped traffic onto Baltimore Key Bridge before collapse: 'These people are heroes'

Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images

(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.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Judge in New York hush money case places limited gag order on Trump

Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

(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.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Ship strikes major Baltimore bridge causing partial collapse

ABC News

(BALTIMORE) -- Just hours before the Tuesday morning commute was to get underway, a massive cargo ship leaving Baltimore harbor lost propulsion and crashed into a support column of Baltimore's 1.6-mile long Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a partial collapse and sending vehicles and people into the water, officials said.

The transportation disaster unfolded about 1:35 a.m., triggering a major emergency response from Baltimore police, firefighters and the U.S. Coast Guard as authorities estimated that up to 20 vehicles went into the water along with several workers who were part of a maintenance team fixing potholes on the span, officials said.

"I can tell you, our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water," Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said at a news conference early Tuesday.

Hear the latest from ABC Audio's Derricke Dennis on the scene:

Wallace said dive teams were probing the water for survivors. He said the challenges to rescue crews included darkness, maneuvering through a massive and dangerous debris field and the swift current that runs through the channel. Asked how long someone could survive in the frigid water, Wallace said, "We're going to rely on the experts, which is our dive masters that are here, our dive team, to tell us when they believe we've reached that non-survivability point."

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a news conference Tuesday morning that rescue crews are doing all they can to save lives.

"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."

Emergency officials said eight people were initially unaccounted for and two were rescued. At least six people were still missing. One of those rescued was in "very serious" condition. The University of Maryland Medical Center said it treated one patient rescued from the bridge collapse and that person had been discharged from the hospital.

Moore described the crash as "unprecedented."

"To hear the words that the Key Bridge has collapsed, it's shocking and heartbreaking," Moore said.

Officials said the container ship was moving at a speed of 8 knots, or about 9 mph, when it struck the bridge. They said the disaster could have been much worse had authorities not stopped cars from going onto the bridge.

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.

All workers on the container ship were accounted for, according to the memo.

The cargo ship pilot is expected to undergo post-accident drug and alcohol testing.

Moore said there was no credible evidence that the crash involved terrorism. He said it appeared to be a tragic accident.

The FBI, which arrived at the scene an hour after the incident, confirmed that no link to terrorism was involved, according to Bill DelBagno, special agent in charged of the FBI's Baltimore field office.

Moore said there were no structural issues with the bridge, saying it was "fully up to code."

It still remains unclear what caused the loaded 984-foot container ship, Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, to crash into the bridge about a half hour after it began its intended journey out of the second-largest seaport in the Mid-Atlantic via the Patapsco River, which the four-lane Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the amateur poet who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814, crosses.

Danish shipping company Maersk said it chartered the Dali cargo ship, a spokesperson for the company told ABC News in a statement.

“We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected. We can confirm that the container vessel “DALI”, operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group, is time chartered by Maersk and is carrying Maersk customers’ cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard the vessel. We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed," the Maersk spokesperson said.

Dramatic security video captured the vessel striking one of the main support columns holding up the center cantilevered section of the bridge, causing the span to break apart in several sections and sending twisted metal into the water onto the bow of the Dali as black smoke began to pour from the vessel.

Multiple vehicles plunged from the bridge at the time of the collapse, the Baltimore City Fire Department said.

Just minutes before the crash, the video showed traffic flowing on the bridge, but the traffic almost disappeared before impact.

Had the crash occurred a few hours later at the height of the morning commute the bridge would have likely been packed with commuters. The bridge is part of the heavily traveled Interstate 695 linking Baltimore to Washington, D.C. An estimated 11.5 million vehicles cross the bridge annually, or about 30,000 per day, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The bridge, which opened on March 23, 1977, had just celebrated its 47th anniversary.

The crash shut down the seaport, which serves more than 50 ocean carrier companies whose vessels make about 1,800 annual visits to the port annually, according to state officials.

ABC News' Victoria Arancio, Alex Grainger, Sam Sweeney and Felicia Alvarez contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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