LONG BEACH, Calif. — Dozens of cargo containers are in the water at the Port of Long Beach after they slid from the ship that was carrying them.

The Mississippi cargo ship was attached to the pier when the containers fell into the water, with some hitting a barge connected to the cargo ship.

Officials said that after the ship docked, crew members released the straps that secured the containers and they started falling into the water, KABC reported.

Port officials said a total of 67 were in the water and on the land, The Los Angeles Times reported. Port operations had to be temporarily suspended and a 500-yard safety zone was established around the ship.

After the initial load of containers fell, more fell a few hours later, KABC reported. Officials were fearful that more may fall since the ship was tipping.

Shoes, boxes and other items were seen floating near the containers. The ship had come from China and was carrying items such as shoes, clothing and electronics destined for stores such as Costco, Target, Walmart and small, privately owned businesses. KABC said that several retailers said they lost stock in the incident.

Some of the containers were being held up in the water by buoys while others sank, according to KABC.

Port Long Beach handles more than 9 million 20-foot shipping containers from about 2,000 ships every year, the Times reported.

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