BALTIMORE — A major search and rescue operation in Baltimore, Maryland has turned to a recovery.
“Based on the length of time of this search, the extensive search we’ve put into it, the water temperature, at this point we don’t believe we are going to find these individuals still alive," said Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District
At least six people remain unaccounted for. They were construction workers repairing potholes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge overnight when it was hit by a cargo ship and collapsed.
“Is there the possibility that there was another vehicle on there other than the vehicles involved in the construction project? I think we would all have to understand yes, that’s a distinct possibility," said Ronald L. Butler Jr., the superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
The US Coast Guard and other rescuers faced grave challenges through Tuesday's search.
“We’ve got very difficult water temperatures, we have structure debris from the bridge that can move from the currents and tides that can be dangerous for divers and people in the water," Gilreath explained.
“The last thing we want to do is put divers in the water with changing currents, low temperatures, very poor visibility and so much metal and unknown objects in the water," Butler added.
And while the operation is shifting to a recovery, authorities say they aren’t going anywhere.
“At this point, we don’t know where they are but we intend to give it our best effort to try to give these families some closure," Butler said.
At this time, no remains have been recovered. The Coast Guard says it will send drivers back into the river at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.