Biden says Baltimore rescue effort ‘top priority’ with people still missing and says bridge collapse was ‘terrible accident’ – live | Baltimore bridge collapse

Biden emphasized that search and rescue efforts remain a “top priority”, as six people are still unaccounted for.

Biden said that he was thinking of those who are waiting to hear about their loved ones.

“We’re with you. We’re going to stay with you as long as it takes. You’re Maryland tough, you’re Baltimore strong,” Biden said.

Biden said that the Key Bridge collapse was a “terrible accident”, emphasizing reports from other agencies that the incident was not intentional.

Biden said: “Everything 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,” Biden said.

“We’re going to rebuild that port together,” Biden added.

In the immediate aftermath of the bridge collapse, far-right influencers have already begun questioning whether the accident was intentional or part of a nefarious plot.

Authorities so far have said the crash appears to be an accident – the FBI has said there is “no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time” while the homeland security secretary said “there are no indications this was an intentional act.” A report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said the ship was in contact with transportation authorities before the collision because it had “lost propulsion.”

The theories spreading so far aren’t unified under a particular narrative, but more fall into “just asking questions” speculation territory. Mike Flynn, the former national security adviser to Donald Trump and frequent sharer of conspiracy theories, posted on X along these lines, calling the collision a “BLACK SWAN event,” a type of unforeseeable event that causes major upheaval. Lara Logan, the media personality who often spreads these kinds of rumors, made claims of a cyber attack without evidence, saying on X that “they are going to have a hard time selling this one as an accident to those who know how these things are done.”

The move into speculation and rumors right after a tragedy is now a hallmark of the internet, where this quick misinformation rockets around online well before investigations into the facts have time to catch up. It becomes especially acute during election years, when unrelated events get tied up into political and electoral narratives.

Former US Rep. Denver Riggleman summarized the spread of these rumors on X: “Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.—Tragic. Accident. Sad. Now, let’s endure the inevitable fever-dream conspiracy theories & speculative shite pushed by the ‘Ball of string & whiteboard’ crowd. Lots of QAnon’ers and alien abduction folks firing up the forums.”

Joe Biden is expected to give remarks on the Key Bridge collapse later today, NBC News reported.

Biden was briefed on the collapse early Tuesday, according to a statement from the White House.

“The president has been briefed on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and the ongoing search and rescue efforts. He will continue to receive updates from his team throughout the day,” the statement read.

Maryland governor Wes Moore added that the ship had lost power around the time when the cargo ship hit the Key Bridge.

The ship’s crew issued a “mayday” request. Moore said that officials were able to slow the flow of traffic, preventing more vehicles from falling into the water.

“These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” Moore said.

Six people are still unaccounted for following the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse.

Eight people reportedly fell into the water, officials say. All eight were construction workers who were assisting with a project. One person was taken to an area hospital.