‘We’re with you’ | President Biden on federal help to for Baltimore after bridge collapse

I want to speak briefly about the terrible incident and accident that happened in Baltimore this morning at about 1:30 container ship struck the Francis Scott Key bridge which I’ve been over many many times commuting from the state of Delaware either a trainer by car been in Baltimore Harbor many times

And uh the bridge collapsed sending several people and vehicles into the water into the river and the multiple US Coast Guard units which are stationed very nearby thank God were immediately deployed along with local emergency personnel and the Coast Guard is leading the response to the port where representatives from the Federal Highway

Administration the FBI Department of Transportation the Army Corps of Engineers as well as Maryland officials and Baltimore Police and Fire they’re all working together to coordinate an emergency response officials at the scene estimate eight people were unac accounted for still not still were unaccounted for that number might change

Two have been rescued one without Injury One in critical condition and the search and rescue operation is continuing for all those remaining as we speak I spoke with Governor Moore this morning as well as the mayor Baltimore the county executive United to both United States senators and the congressman and my

Secretary of transportation is on the scene I told them we’re going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency and I mean all the federal resources and we’re going to rebuild that Port together everything so so far indicates that this

Was a terrible accident at this time we have no other indication no other reason to believe there’s any intentional act here Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel as you all know and reported as a result local

Authorities were able to close the bridge of traffic before the bridge was struck which undoubtedly saved lives our prayers are with everyone involved in this terrible accident and all the families especially those waiting for the news of their loved one right now I know every minute in that circumstance feels

Like a lifetime you just don’t know it’s just terrible we’re incredibly grateful for the brave Rescuers who immediately rush to the scene and to the people of Baltimore who want to say we’re with you we’re going to stay with you as long as it takes and like Governor said you’re

Maryland tough your Baltimore strong and we’re going to get through this together and I promise we’re not leaving here’s what’s happening now the search and rescue operation is our top priority ship traffic in the Port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice and we’ll need to clear that channel

Before the ship traffic can resume the Army Corps of Engineers is on the spot and is going to help lead this effort to clear the channel the Port of Baltimore is one of the nation’s largest shipping hubs and I’ve been there a number of times as a senator and as a vice

President it handles a record amount of cargo last year it’s also the top port in America for both imports and exports of automobiles and light trucks around 850,000 Vehicles go through that Port every single year and we’re going to get it up and running again as soon as

Possible 15,000 jobs depend on that port and we’re going to do everything we can to protect those jobs and help those workers the bridge is also critical to for travel not just for Baltimore but for the Northeast Corridor over 30,000 Vehicles cross the Francis scoty bridge in daily basis it’s

Virtually that well it’s one of the most important elements for the economy in the Northeast and the quality of life my Transportation secretary is there now as I told Governor Moore I’ve directed my team to move Heaven and Earth to re open the port and rebuild the bridge as soon

As humanly possible and we’re going to work hand inand with the support of Maryland to support Maryland whatever they ask for we’re going to work with our partners in Congress to make sure the state gets the support needs it’s my intention that federal government will pay for the entire cost of

Reconstructing that bridge and I expect the Congress to support my effort this is going to take some time the people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them at every step of the way till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt you know we’re not leaving

Until this job gets done not leave until then so I just want to say God bless everybody who uh everyone harm this morning and their families and may God bless the First Responders many of them risking their lives and uh I’m going to reason I’m not going to take a lot of

Questions there’s remaining issues that are open that we got to determine what’s going to happen in terms of the rescue mission and the like but I’ll do you plan to go to Baltimore sir and if so how quickly I do and as quickly as I can that’s you said the federal government’s

Also going to pay for the repairs I’m just curious this was a ship that appears to be fault is there any reason to believe that the company behind the ship should be held responsible and then also you that could be but we’re not going to wait for that happen we’re

Going to pay for it to get the bridge rebuilt and open what did you make of Israel’s decision not to attend this meeting this week oh I don’t want to get plenty of time to talk about you mentioned the port the about cars about the port

U.S. President Joe Biden called the bridge collapse in Baltimore a ‘terrible accident’ and says federal help is being provided.

Subscribe to CTV News to watch more videos:

Connect with CTV News:
For live updates and latest headlines visit:
For breaking news, fast, download the CTV News App:
Must-watch stories and full programs at

CTV News on TikTok:
CTV News on X (formerly Twitter):
CTV News on Reddit:
CTV News on LinkedIn:

—
CTV News is Canada’s most-watched news organization both locally and nationally, and has a network of national, international, and local news operations.

Reference