Washington — Federal authorities announced on Tuesday morning that they do not believe the container ship crash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was intentional or linked to terrorism.
Both federal and state authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are currently conducting investigations, with search and rescue operations in progress following the collapse that resulted in vehicles and individuals falling into the water.
"There is no specific or credible information indicating any connection to terrorism in this incident," stated William J. DelBagno, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore field office, during a press briefing on Tuesday morning.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday after a large container ship collided with a supporting column.
Stretching 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River in the Port of Baltimore, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was constructed in the 1970s and was named after Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Tuesday's Bridge Collapse in Baltimore
Reports indicate that Tuesday's collapse occurred after the Singapore-flagged motor vessel lost propulsion and collided with a supporting tower of the bridge. This information was detailed in an unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency memo reviewed by CBS News and confirmed by a law enforcement official.
The White House has stated that President Biden was briefed on the situation and will receive ongoing updates throughout the day. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg mentioned in a social media post that he had spoken with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott to offer the Transportation Department's support following the incident. Emergency response funds are expected to be released by the Department of Transportation.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shared that the U.S. Coast Guard is actively involved at the scene, working alongside state and local partners on search and rescue efforts. Mayorkas emphasized that there is currently no indication that the incident was intentional and mentioned that assessments are being made regarding the impact on the Port of Baltimore.
Governor Moore stated that the "preliminary investigation points to an accident," although authorities are still investigating the matter. Earlier on Tuesday, Moore declared a state of emergency and expressed collaboration with the Biden administration to deploy federal resources.
Following the collapse of the bridge, Sen. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland expressed his condolences, describing the incident as a "terrible tragedy" for both the city and the state. During a press conference, Van Hollen confirmed that he had been in contact with Buttigieg and assured the public that the federal government was working closely with local authorities.
"The federal government stands by your side in this endeavor," he stated. "We are here to support you, we stand with you, and we will overcome this challenge together."
