On Tuesday morning after the collapse, it was reported that two people were rescued from the water. One refused treatment while the other was transported to shock trauma. Later that day, it was reported that 6 people, construction workers who were on the bridge at the time, were still missing and presumably dead. On Wednesday, Moore addressed the search for the remaining crew members.
“They [the rescue team] are in frigid conditions,” Moore said. “They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them. They are trying to navigate mangled metal and they are also in a place where it is now presumed that people have lost their lives. So, the work of these first responders, the work of these divers; I cannot stress enough how remarkable these individuals are.”
Former President Donald Trump is now selling Bibles as he runs to return to the White House. Trump, who became the presumptive Republican nominee earlier this month, released a video on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday urging his supporters to buy the “God Bless the USA Bible,” which is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump takes the stage to the song at each of his rallies and has appeared with Greenwood at events.
“Happy Holy Week! Let’s Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible,” Trump wrote, directing his supporters to a website selling the book for $59.99.
The effort comes as Trump has faced a serious money crunch amid mounting legal bills while he fights four criminal indictments along with a series of civil charges. Trump was given a reprieve Monday when a New York appeals court agreed to hold off on collecting the more than $454 million he owes following a civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. Trump has already posted a $92 million bond in connection with defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault.
The Maryland Port Administration announced on Tuesday the suspension of vessel traffic into and out of the Port of Baltimore until further notice. The port is not shut down and it’s still processing trucks inside of the terminals.
As far as cruises go, Carnival Cruise Line sent a statement to 11 News, saying it will temporarily move Carnival Legend’s Baltimore operations to Norfolk, Virginia. Carnival Legend was scheduled to return to Baltimore from its current voyage on Sunday. It will now return to Norfolk on Sunday, and guests will be provided free bus service to Baltimore. Carnival Legend’s next seven-day itinerary on March 31 will then operate from and return to Norfolk. Guests on the current and upcoming cruises are being informed of this change.
“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 (Joe) 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.”
WBAL-TV 11 News has also reached out to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and will update this article when a response is received. Royal Caribbean has a sailing scheduled to leave Baltimore in April.
The Cruise Lines International Association’s statement follows: “We are deeply saddened by the tragedy and collapse of the Key Bridge that occurred last night and extend our support and heartfelt prayers to all those impacted. We join everyone in extending our thanks and appreciation to the first responders and emergency workers in Baltimore, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other professionals who are working with one goal in mind — to save lives. We are closely following this situation. Right now, the most important thing to do is to allow the emergency workers to do their work.”
Based on published itineraries, there are 12 ships making 115 ship calls in 2024. Baltimore is the 29th largest cruise port in the U.S. with 378,000 passengers scheduled to move through the port.
The Baltimore Water Taxi released a statement, saying its service continues in the harbor: “Today, the entire Baltimore Water Taxi team is thinking of all those impacted by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse – families and friends of loved ones who are missing and the first responders at the scene working under dangerous conditions. Baltimore is a tough, brave community. Together, we will come out of this tragedy even stronger.
“At this time, the Harbor Connector continues to provide public transit. We will alert the public if any impacts to our operations develop.”
Rescuers pulled out two people, but six others are missing. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley told C4 and Bryan Nehman shortly after the accident that he “think this was purely an accident” and that an investigation will continue ” to make sure there was no terrorism. But we wanted to rule that out pretty quick.”
Synergy Marine, which operated the ship that hit the bridge, and the ship’s owner, Grace Ocean Private Ltd, have been sued at least four times in U.S. federal court on allegations of negligence and other claims tied to worker injuries on other ships owned and operated by the Singapore-based companies.
The most recent federal data shows the bridge was rated as being in fair condition overall before the crash.
“We got a ship that’s got an international flag, so there’s a lot of different rules as far as boarding the ship and going aboard the ship,” Worley said. “Even, this morning, we had to go through international rules for the waterways; and we got the Coast Guard.”
