And we do want to get right to our top
story,
the very latest on the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
And the big question What went wrong with that massive
cargo ship?
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is standing by.
But first, our transportation correspondent Gio Benitez starts us off
from the scene.
And Gio, the Coast Guard has ended its search and
rescue mission.
Yeah, Michael, that's right. This is now officially a recovery
mission and it's going to be an incredibly challenging 1.
Just look over my shoulder here and you can see
that collapse bridge.
There is so much heavy steel there.
And now families are heartbroken This morning.
This morning, an iconic part of the Baltimore skyline gone
in an instant.
The search and rescue mission at the collapsed Francis Scott
Key Bridge turning into a recovery mission.
Authorities say the 47° water and unpredictable currents are just
too treacherous for the six missing workers to have survived.
Officials searching for the cause of why that cargo ship
the size of the Chrysler Building lost power and slammed
into the Francis Scott Key Bridge,
causing its catastrophic collapse. The next months are going to
be challenging and difficult.
Here's what we know. The container ship Dolly seen here
docked at the Port of Baltimore left the pier at
1:00 AM Tuesday,
just before 1:30. AMA Mayday call from the ship seeking
emergency assistance.
Hold on traffic on the Key Bridge.
There's a ship approaching and just lost their steering so
that until you get that under control,
we got to stop all traffic.
Video shows the ship's lights going out twice as it
approaches the bridge.
Crews on board reporting power issues and loss of propulsion,
apparently losing steering control. Dark smoke seen billowing.
The last car crosses the bridge at
1:28 AM then roughly 30 seconds later the collision and
collapse this
back. The whole bridge just fell down started.
Whoever everybody, the whole bridge just collapsed.
Search and rescue efforts beginning immediately in freezing cold waters.
The search underway by air and sea for 18 hours.
From the outset we moved all those resources in with
dive teams from various state,
local and county agencies. We're doing our very best in
some very difficult times and difficult conditions.
An eight person construction crew was filling potholes on the
1.6 mile long bridge when it collapsed,
their vehicles seen here. Two were rescued shortly after,
one running to safety, the other swimming to shore,
Now released from the hospital officials saying the six others
are now presumed dead.
Six of our workers lost their lives and one was
seriously injured.
This tragic event was completely unforeseen
and was not something that we ever could imagine.
What happened. Our company is in mourning over the loss
of these fine people
and now authorities calling the quick work of the dispatchers
and officers heroic they undoubtedly saved in New Roman lives.
We just looked up and it just was happening.
Witnesses capturing the moment of impact,
yo. Having just driven across the bridge for what they
didn't realize would be their last time,
I was in a lot of shock.
I just was in a lot of disbelief.
It was unfathomable. It's like something out of a mood.
I mean, my stomach just sank.
Meanwhile, President Biden is pledging the full support of the
federal government saying he will move heaven and earth to
rebuild this bridge.
That means so much to this community,
Rebecca. And we are thinking of those families in that
community.
OK, Gio. Thank you.