By Trend News Line 2024-03-27 08:42:08.
Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses After Cargo Ship Collision: Six Missing, Presumed dead
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In a devastating turn of events early Tuesday morning, a massive cargo ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the 1.6-mile structure to crumble like a pile of toothpicks. The impact plunged cars and construction workers into the frigid waters below, leading to the presumed deaths of six individuals, as confirmed by a Coast Guard official at a news conference later in the day.
The catastrophic incident occurred just before 1:30 a.m. when a Singaporean-flagged container vessel named DALI struck one of the 47-year-old bridge’s pillars. The local pilot of the ship made desperate attempts to slow down and steer the vessel away from the bridge, despite facing a complete blackout on the ship, resulting in a loss of engine and electrical power.
Video footage of the ship approaching the bridge revealed lights flickering on and off, indicating an emergency generator activation after the initial blackout. However, the ship’s engines failed to restart, causing it to collide with the bridge’s pillar. The vessel was off-center as it approached the bridge, crashing into a pillar on one side instead of passing under the middle span where clearance is highest.
The impact of the collision led to the disappearance of six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge surface at the time. The victims, hailing from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, were identified as hardworking individuals supporting their families in the United States.
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Rescue efforts quickly turned into a recovery operation as the Coast Guard admitted that the chances of finding the missing individuals alive were slim. Two people were rescued from the Patapsco River, with one in serious condition, while the search continues for the remaining missing workers.
The aftermath of the crash prompted concerns about hazardous materials aboard the container ship. The US Coast Guard is inspecting over a dozen damaged containers, some potentially containing hazardous materials, which were on board the vessel at the time of the collision. A team trained to handle hazardous materials is assessing the ship’s manifest to determine any potential health risks associated with the materials.
As search operations were halted due to dangerous conditions and structural instability of the remaining bridge sections, the local community mourned the loss of the construction workers and hoped for a swift resolution to the tragedy. Traffic disruptions and rerouting were inevitable as authorities worked to clear the debris and assess the damage caused by the bridge collapse.
The investigation into the incident continues as authorities strive to understand the sequence of events that led to the catastrophe and ensure the safety of the surrounding area. The impact of the collision serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with maritime operations and the importance of stringent safety protocols in preventing such tragedies in the future..
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