Around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed when a cargo ship lost power and crashed into it. Officials were able to prevent cars from driving onto the bridge just before the accident, but eight construction workers remained on the structure and plummeted into the river below. Here's how the events unfolded.
About 12:45 a.m.
The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged cargo ship, leaves the dock in Baltimore, moving through the Patapsco River.
Tug boats, which are routinely used at the Port of Baltimore to help get vehicles out of the docking station, were already cut loose when the Dali's pilots and crew lost control of the ship. Ships are not required to have escorts through the bridge.
About 12:56 a.m.
The boat begins to make a big arc, turning toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
About 1:25 a.m.
The ship reaches its max speed and then loses power one minute later at 1:26 a.m. The crew on board makes a mayday call, saying a collision might be possible.
Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski said there were roughly two minutes between Dali's mayday call to authorities and the bridge collapsing.
1:27 a.m.
Upon hearing the distress call from the Dali, authorities swiftly direct the police to halt traffic on both ends of the bridge, as documented in 911 records. "A vessel is approaching with a complete loss of steering," the dispatcher informs. "Until the situation is resolved, all traffic must come to a stop."
Subsequently, two first responders confirm that they have successfully blocked traffic on the northern and southern sides of the bridge.
1:28 a.m.
Concerns emerge from the 911 records regarding the safety of a potential crew working on the bridge. "We are uncertain if there is a crew present, it might be advisable to notify the foreman to evacuate temporarily," a participant in the call suggests.
1:29 a.m.
The boat slows down around 1:29 a.m. and suddenly crashes into a pillar supporting the bridge.
An individual on the emergency call informs the operator that the entire bridge has collapsed. Authorities from Maryland Transportation Authority Police confirm that they have blocked all traffic from entering the bridge.
Tuesday morning
Following the collapse, a search and rescue mission commences for the eight construction workers who were present on the bridge. These workers were employed by Brawner Builders and were engaged in repairing potholes on the bridge.
Various agencies, including the FBI, dispatch dive teams to search the waters.
The FBI has also stated that there is "no specific or credible intelligence indicating any connection to terrorism in this event."
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned that while the agency is leading the investigation, the primary focus remains on the individuals and their families. She emphasized that "the rest can wait" as there was limited information available to share at that moment.
10 a.m.
In a press briefing, Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld announced that two of the construction workers have been rescued.
One worker emerged unharmed, while the other was treated at the University of Maryland Medical Center and has since been released, as reported by CBS Baltimore.
Around 3:30 p.m.
During a press briefing, Maryland Governor Wes Moore provided an update stating that the ongoing search and rescue operation was still in progress.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg mentioned that the administration will collaborate with NTSB and the Coast Guard for the investigation into the incident. He also reiterated President Biden's commitment to offer full support to repair the bridge, as stated in an earlier press conference.
7:30 p.m.
Search and rescue operations were halted, and officials shifted their focus to recovery efforts. Six of the construction workers are still missing and presumed deceased.
The missing individuals, aged in their 30s and 40s, hail from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, as reported by CBS Baltimore's partners at The Baltimore Banner. They leave behind spouses and children and were described as "dedicated, modest individuals" by a construction company employee.
One of the missing workers, identified by the nonprofit organization CASA, is Miguel Luna from El Salvador. Luna, a husband and father of three, has been a resident of Maryland for 19 years.
Reports from Guatemala's Ministry of Foreign Affairs have revealed that two individuals who are among the missing workers hail from Guatemala. Additionally, the Mexican Embassy in Washington has verified that there are Mexican nationals among the group of six individuals who are currently unaccounted for.
On Tuesday night, a vigil was organized in honor of the missing workers.
Rescue divers are scheduled to resume their search efforts in the water on Wednesday.
