New York (1010 WINS/WCBS 880/WBEN) – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Port Authority officials reached out to the Maryland governor on Tuesday afternoon offering assistance following the Baltimore bridge collapse.
“My heart breaks for all those affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as rescue efforts are underway,” Hochul said. “I’ve reached out to Governor Wes Moore and let him know that New York is prepared to offer any assistance necessary.”
A cargo ship rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Bridge early Tuesday, causing the span to collapse and rescuers to launch a massive search for at least six people who were missing.
The 985-foot-long (300-meter-long) vessel struck one of the 1.6-mile (2.6-kilometer) bridge’s supports, causing the span to break and fall into the water within seconds. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.
All ship traffic into and out of the port has been suspended until further notice, though the port remains open to trucks, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said.
“Our thoughts are with all of those impacted by this collapse,” Bethann Rooney, port director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said. “The Port Authority is in touch with our counterparts in Baltimore, and we stand ready to assist with emergency resources and any other assistance that may be needed. The Port of New York and New Jersey is proactively working with our industry partners to respond as needed and ensure supply chain continuity along the East Coast.”
Two people were rescued, but officials said six people were still unaccounted for as of late morning. All were believed to be part of a construction crew that was repairing potholes on the bridge.
Multiple vehicles also fell into the water, although authorities don't think anyone was inside them.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.