Nearly 70 containers topple like dominoes at California port

67 containers fell from a cargo ship docked at the Port of Long Beach, with more at risk as the vessel listed.

Around 9 a.m. on 9/9/2025, the container ship Mississippi, docked at Pier G in the Port of Long Beach, listed to one side, sending dozens of containers tumbling into the water "like dominoes" along its port side.

Officials estimated that 67 containers fell from the cargo ship. The incident damaged a barge that supplies power and handles emissions. While there were no injuries, more containers were at risk of falling due to the ship's continued list. Cargo operations at Pier G were temporarily suspended.

Containers fall "like dominoes" at the Port of Long Beach, California, on 9/9/2025. Video: ABC News

A unified command, including representatives from the US Coast Guard, Fire Department, Police Department, Port of Long Beach, Army Corps of Engineers, and other stakeholders, was established. Boats, ships, and aircraft were deployed to stabilize the vessel and spray water to prevent the containers from drifting.

The Coast Guard established a 450-meter safety zone around the container ship and issued warnings to other vessels.

According to officials, the Portuguese-flagged ship arrived from China fully loaded with goods ranging from shoes and clothing to electronics, destined for retail stores across the US.

Containers adrift after falling from a cargo ship at the Port of Long Beach, California, on 9/9/2025. Photo: AP

"I figure one or two containers falling could be an accident, but something like this, there’s got to be some serious negligence somewhere," a steelworker at the port said. Another worker stated he had never witnessed a similar incident in his 35 years at the port.

Investigators are exploring the possibility of a ballast-related equilibrium issue. Ballast tanks are compartments within a ship's hull, typically at the bottom or along the sides, used to control stability, trim, and draft.

The incident occurred four days after the Port of Long Beach was named the best West Coast seaport in North America for the seventh consecutive year by Asia Cargo News magazine. The port handles over 9 million containers annually from approximately 2,000 ships, accounting for one-fourth of all container traffic moving through the West Coast.