The U.S. Coast Guard suspended search-and-rescue operations for the six construction workers who have been missing since a Baltimore bridge collapsed early Tuesday, in an “unthinkable tragedy” that will have a significant impact on commerce, traffic and transportation beyond Maryland.
It’s now a recovery operation, according to Maryland State Police.
Recovery efforts resumed at the collapse site early Wednesday, state police said. Divers returned after challenging overnight conditions improved.
“We do not believe that we are going to find any of these individuals still alive,” Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said.
Brawner Builders Executive Vice President Jeffrey Pritzker said Tuesday afternoon that the missing employees were presumed to have died given the water’s depth and the amount of time that had passed since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed.
“This was so completely unforeseen,” Pritzker said. “We don’t know what else to say. We take such great pride in safety, and we have …