Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse timeline
- A cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday
- The Baltimore bridge collapsed completely upon impact
- Recovery efforts continue for six missing construction workers
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BALTIMORE (NewsNation) — The Francis Scott Key Bridge, which spans 1.6 miles across the Patapsco River in Baltimore, collapsed Tuesday morning after a cargo container ship crashed into one of its supports.
Crews are working to recover six people who are believed to have fallen into the water after the collapse.
Two people were rescued: One who refused medical treatment and one who has serious injuries, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said at a Tuesday morning news conference.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said there’s “absolutely no indication” the ship struck the bridge on purpose.
The crossway served as a major artery for city transportation. The collapse will likely cause major traffic delays in the city, and it is unknown what the next steps will be once the rebuilding process begins.
Here is a timeline of events since the ship’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Ship strikes Francis Scott Key Bridge
March 26, 2024: A cargo ship, known as Dali, left the Port of Baltimore for a 27-day voyage. Less than 30 minutes into its journey, the ship crashed into the support of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
1:24 a.m.: The ship’s lights flicker for the first time.
1:27 a.m.: First call made to the United States Coast Guard for assistance. Multiple assets responded.
1:28 a.m.: Cargo ship strikes a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a total, catastrophic collapse of the crossway.
1:29 a.m.: Agencies began receiving multiple emergency calls shortly after the collision. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.
1:35 a.m.: Baltimore City police were notified of a partial bridge collapse with workers possibly in the water at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Shortly after, 911 dispatched a call to the Baltimore City Fire Department for water rescue in the Patapsco River near the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
“Be advised, the entire bridge, the entire Key Bridge is in the harbor. I advise to hold all traffic from committing to the bridge. I advise again, the entire Key Bridge has fallen into the harbor,” a dispatcher warned over the emergency broadcast.
1:40 a.m.: 911 dispatches the Baltimore City Fire Department for reports of underwater rescue.
The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg 
The Dali container vessel after striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge that collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, US, on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. The commuter bridge collapsed after being rammed by the Dali ship, causing vehicles to plunge into the water. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg 
Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Search and rescue mission underway
1:50 a.m.: The first emergency unit arrived and reported a complete collapse of the four-lane bridge. Authorities were given information at that time that multiple people were likely on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
1:59 a.m.: The Maryland Transportation Authority posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, that all lanes of the bridge were closed “for incident.”
3:07 a.m.: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott acknowledged he was aware of the bridge collapse and was en route to the incident.
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
Aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse (Credit: BCFD Engine 5, Truck 3, Medic 10) 
MARYLAND, UNITED STATES – MARCH 26: A view of the collision after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed with a cargo ship in Baltimore, Maryland, United States on March 26, 2024. According to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA), all lanes are closed in both directions, and traffic is being diverted. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
3:20 a.m.: The Maryland Transportation Authority confirmed the bridge collapsed due to a ship strike.
5:08 a.m.: U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg offered full support to Baltimore officials.
6:03 a.m.: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore responded to the collapse, posting to social media that his offices were in close communication with Buttigieg, Scott and emergency personnel. Moore declared a state of emergency, requesting federal resources from the Biden administration.
“We are thankful for the brave men and women who are carrying out efforts to rescue those involved and pray for everyone’s safety,” Moore said.
Key Bridge collapse response
6:27 a.m.: Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace, Scott and County Executive Johnny Olszewski held the first news conference on the bridge collapse.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy. We have to first and foremost pray for those impacted — of those families — for first responders and thank them for working together,” Scott said.
6:40 a.m.: Shipping company A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, also known as Maersk, issues a statement on the ship collision and bridge collapse.
“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,” Maersk said in the statement.
Approximately 6:58 a.m.: Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) announced it would cooperate with the U.S. Coast Guard on its investigation. The MPA also announced it would launch its own investigation into the incident.
7:02 a.m.: A Department of Defense official confirmed that the U.S. Navy hasn’t received a request for support but stands by ready to assist if required.
7:21 a.m.: Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul Wiedefeld and U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Erin Palmer held a second news conference. Wiedefeld confirmed workers were doing concrete repairs on the bridge at the time of the collapse. Also, a location was set up for family members of those missing.
Palmer said the primary mission remained search and rescue efforts.
7:52 a.m.: The Federal Aviation Administration restricted air space around the wreckage site, urging pilots not to interfere with rescue operations.
7:57 a.m.: NewsNation confirmed President Joe Biden has been briefed on the collapse and the ongoing search and rescue efforts. The White House said the president will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day.
8:31 a.m.: A Synergy Marine Group spokesperson confirmed to NewsNation that two people will fly in at 2:30 p.m. to meet with the Coast Guard. One of the people flying in is a former Coast Guard member. The two people will be there on behalf of Maersk, Synergy Marine Group, Grace Ocean Private Ltd. (ship owner) and the insurers.
The spokesperson also confirmed an “experienced captain” was aboard the ship along with 22 crew members. No additional interviews will be conducted until the company has more information.
NTSB launches collapse investigation
9:23 a.m.: The National Transportation Safety Board launched an investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. A media briefing will take place later in the day.
9:38 a.m.: Scott declared a local state of emergency in response to the bridge collapse.
9:53 a.m.: Moore and Wiedefeld held a third news conference regarding the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The governor said the bridge was up to code and has no concerns. As of 11:45 a.m. ET, six people — all construction crew members — remained unaccounted for.
Moore said the ship’s crew was notified of a power loss on the vessel. The ship’s crew also issued a mayday that allowed officials to clear the bridge of cars, Moore said.
9:58 a.m.: Wallace told CNN that authorities used infrared and side-scan sonar technology to retrieve five vehicles — three passenger cars, a cement truck and a fifth vehicle — from the water.
12:30 p.m.: President Joe Biden delivered remarks on the bridge’s collapse.
1 p.m.: NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy briefed the media on the agency’s investigation into the bridge collapse.
2:30 p.m.: Two Synergy Marine Group members arrived in the U.S. and met with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mission switches to search and recovery
7:30 p.m.: Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police, announced that the search and rescue mission was transitioning to one of search and recovery. He also said the search was being put on pause and divers would return to the site at 6 a.m. Wednesday, when challenging overnight conditions are expected to improve.
Recovery mission resumes
March 27: Authorities resumed efforts to recover the six construction workers believed to be dead after the search was suspended overnight due to weather conditions and visibility.
The construction workers who are presumed dead include Miguel Luna, a father of three from El Salvador, Peten Chiquimula and Camotan Chiquimula from Guatemala and Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval of Honduras. The names of the other two workers have not been released.
Ship traffic suspended, supply chain impacts expected
March 27: All ship traffic in the Port of Baltimore is indefinitely suspended, and there is no timeline on when the collapsed bridge, which handled roughly 1.3 million trucks each year, will be restored. Supply chain impacts are expected as a result of the closures.
