Dozens of shipping containers took a tumble on Tuesday, Sept. 9, falling over the side of a cargo ship and into Southern California waters.

The containers, approximately 67 of them, were stacked on the Mississippi, a cargo ship, stationed at a pier within the Port of Long Beach, when they toppled over around 9 a.m. local time. The containers' contents were not immediately clear.

According to a news release from the Port of Long Beach, a smaller clean air barge connected to the cargo ship was damaged by "several fallen containers." There were no reports of injuries in connection with the incident.

The Northern California division of the U.S. Coast Guard, one of multiple agencies on scene around Pier G232, estimated that 67 containers had fallen into the water. According to an update provided by port officials on Tuesday, Sept. 10, the number of toppled containers was 75.

While cargo operations at Pier G were temporarily suspended to secure the containers, no other terminals or port operations were impacted.

The U.S. Coast Guard also established a 500-yard safety zone around the Mississippi, broadcasting hourly marine safety information to alert mariners of navigation hazards. Coast Guard officials and the National Transportation Safety Board are working to determine the cause of the incident.

"The Unified Command – consisting of federal, state and local agencies – is working to ensure a safe and timely recovery of the cargo containers," port officials said in a Sept. 10 statement. "Sonar surveys are being conducted to locate approximately 25 to 30 containers submerged in the harbor to ensure the safe navigation of ship traffic."

Photos show shipping container exodus at Southern California port

The Unified Command, a task force made up of federal, state and local agencies, is still working out the details of its "salvage plan," which will be implemented as soon as possible.

"One of the Unified Command’s top priorities is continuing to ensure the safety of workers and others on scene while also assessing security of the surrounding area to prevent further damage," port officials relayed.

Dockworkers were unloading shipping containers from another vessel that was berthed at Pier G before the incident, with truck drivers moving containers to and from the terminal. A "pollution response vessel" and a boom are currently stationed in the area, according to port officials.

See the shipping container exodus that has unfolded at the Southern California port, in pictures.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dozens of cargo containers fall off ship near Southern California port

Reporting by Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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