Image source, Getty Images

Buttigieg is asked how soon the Baltimore port and bridge could be reopened.

He says it is too soon to venture an estimate for the reopening of the port. Most of it is accessed via the waterway now blocked by the broken bridge, and so it cannot operate while the bridge is down, he says.

Buttigieg adds there is a small facility nearby that can handle a small amount of the functions, but "nothing close to the totality of the Port of Baltimore".

On the bridge, he says it is too soon to be certain, but the original bridge took five years to build.

He says that doesn't necessarily mean it will take five years to replace, but gives an idea of what's involved.

Gautier is now being asked about the safety of maritime shipping in general and the strength of the regulations.

He says: "Despite what happened 36 hours ago in Baltimore, maritime shipping is an incredibly safe mode of transportation.

"We have a regime that is regulated and we have certifications from the mariners who work with these ships, which we uphold."

Gautier adds the ship was flagged by Singapore and they'll be participating in the investigation.

Image source, Reuters

Responding to the first question from reporters, the vice admiral says there is no "threat to the public from the materials onboard" the Dali.

Gautier says the substances include mineral oils, and analysis has been carried out by the Atlantic strike team to assess the risk.

"We have determined there really isn't any threat to the public," he adds.

Gautier says the coast guard is onboard the ship and there are plans to refloat it to remove it from the bay.

As we can see from pictures, a portion of the broken bridge remains on the bow of the ship, which Gautier says is weighing it down so much it is in contact with the sea bed.

He says the first step is to remove that debris before vessel can be moved.

Image source, Getty Images

Gautier says they are trying to prevent any pollution coming from the vessel, which is described as stable.

He says it has more than 1.5m gallons of fuel oil and lube oil onboard and it has 4,700 cargo containers, with 56 containing hazardous materials and two missing overboard.

"The ones that are in the water do not contain hazardous materials and 13 or so are damaged from the collision."

He adds the ship operator has actioned the marine salvage plan and they are mobilising resources to take the next steps to re-float the vessel and remove it from the area.

Image source, Getty Images

Vice Admiral Peter Gautier, Deputy Commandant for Operations for the US Coast Guard, is speaking now.

He says the coast guard's highest priority is restoring the waterway for shipping, stabilising the Dali cargo ship and removing it and coordinating "a maritime casualty investigation".

He says the vessel is stable but contains "hazardous materials".

The transport secretary says bridges such as the Key Bridge, which was built in the 1970s, are "simply not made to withstand a direct impact on a critical support pier from a vessel that weighs about 200 million pounds".

Buttigieg is now talking about mitigating the impact on the supply chain.

He says they are working to keep goods moving.

"Tomorrow I will convening with shippers and other supply chain partners to promote a coordinated approach while we plan mitigations."

However, Buttigieg adds they are going to work together to get the port open as quickly and safely as possible.

Image source, Reuters

Buttigieg says efforts to reopen the port will happen in four stages, including dealing with supply delays and reopening the bridge.

He says he is concerned about the local economic impact, with some 8,000 jobs affected.

"It is America's biggest vehicle-handling port which is important not only for car imports and exports but for farm equipment.

"We know it can't happen overnight," he says.

Buttigieg says he has spent time with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and takes a moment to express his appreciate for Moore's leadership.

He says Moore has responded to this "unthinkable event with focus and compassion".

He adds he will be working closely with him and the state's transport department to rebuild the bridge.

Image source, Getty Images

Secretary Buttigieg is now talking and begins by thanking the coast guard and first responders.

He says: "Yesterday America woke up to shocking images and by the time they saw it first responders were at the scene.

"If it weren't for the first responders, mayday call and the time of day, the loss of life may have been in the dozens."

Six people did lose their lives and a seventh was badly hurt, he says.

Buttigieg adds work is under way to recover the remains of those who have died and adds "our thoughts and prayers are with those families".

The president remains in close contact with Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, about long-term rebuilding efforts, Jean-Pierre continues.

"The president has directed a whole government response led by the coast guard (including) the Department of Transport and the Army Corps of Engineers, who are all on the ground supporting state and local authorities."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre begins by offering sympathies to the families of the victims of the bridge collapse.

"Our heart goes out the the families of the six individuals still missing," she says.

She adds that operations have shifted from a search and rescue to recovery efforts.

Jean-Pierre says Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Vice Admiral Peter Gautier of the US Coast Guard have just come from a meeting with US President Joe Biden at the Oval Office.

She said following that meeting, Biden instructed his team to "move heaven and earth" to aid the emergency response and help rebuild the bridge "as soon as humanly possible".

An update on the situation in Baltimore is starting now.

It will be with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, transport secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Vice Admiral Peter Gautier from the US Coast Guard.

Stay with us, we'll bring you the latest developments.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Reuters

We've just seen more images of the site of the incident, and we can clearly see search and rescue boats in the area, and more emergency services are parked on the shore.

While authorities have said that the missing workers are presumed dead, it's a clear reminder that they have yet to be recovered from the water.

Officials have repeatedly noted that the search effort is dangerous, with huge pieces of metal both in and out of the water.

The weather is also a factor - it's cold, cloudy and rainy in the area today. This could have an important impact on visibility and could further complicate the effort.

We'll soon be hearing from the Coast Guard. Stay with us for more updates.

Efforts are well under way to clear the debris from the Patapsco river, but the damage is extensive.

Let's bring you some recent photos from the scene in Baltimore.

Image source, Shutterstock

Image source, Shutterstock

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

The audio of the first responder dispatch radio calls as the Key Bridge collapsed have been released.

Officers are discussing halting traffic and alerting the workers on the bridge when a call comes in reporting the bridge has fallen down.

Listen below:

Bernd Debusmann Jr
US Reporter

At a news conference in Mexico City earlier today, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed two of the six missing workers from the bridge collapse are Mexican nationals.

A third Mexican citizen was rescued and survived, Lopez Obrador said.

"We're not going to give any information. Their family members asked us not to," he said. "They want that to handled with a lot of caution."

"Media outlets are searching for them a lot," he added. "So they want us to stay in touch with them as we have been but not share anything."

As the search and rescue efforts continue, we are expecting an update from the White House in just under an hour.

It will be given by the Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, transport secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Vice Admiral Peter Gautier from the US Coast Guard.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates.

A Maryland senator has pledged to push through legislation to provide income support for workers affected by the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge.

Bill Ferguson said on X (formerly Twitter) , externalhe has spoken to "labor leaders, dock workers, small business owners, and large port industry leaders" and is drafting an emergency bill to combat "economic and stability loss to the thousands impacted".

Ferguson adds the port disaster means: "There is enormous cost to families."