Three containers from a cargo ship belonging to CMA CGM fell during loading operations at the Port of Los Angeles. The incident occurred on Monday morning, September 15, 2026, at 11:20 PM, leading to a coordinated response from the Coast Guard and local authorities.
Incident Details
The Los Angeles-Long Beach Coast Guard immediately dispatched patrol boats to the scene after receiving reports of the container fall and established a safety zone with a radius of 400 meters around the incident site. Of the three containers that fell into the water, two sank after entering the sea, and their locations were marked for later recovery. The remaining container was quickly retrieved.
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Recovery and Response Efforts
All fallen containers contained non-hazardous cargo. The Los Angeles Fire Department and the Port of Los Angeles Police also participated in the response operation. The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined; the Coast Guard has stated that further announcements will be made soon regarding this matter.
Both sunken containers were recovered using commercial salvage techniques. Divers successfully located the first container and attached flotation bags to it; then, by increasing buoyancy, they brought it to the water's surface, and at 10:00 PM on Monday, tugboats transported it to a safe location.
The rescue team also retrieved the second container on Tuesday without any incidents, and the Coast Guard dismantled the safety zone after this operation. Captain Jarod DeWitt, Deputy Commander of the Los Angeles-Long Beach Sector, stated: "The safe return of these containers and the reopening of the waterway is a direct result of the coordination and professionalism of all individuals involved in this operation."
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