By Trend News Line 2024-03-28 06:08:26.
**Baltimore Bridge Collapse: New Details Emerge**
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In a tragic turn of events, the pilot of the cargo freighter that caused the collapse of a highway bridge into Baltimore Harbour had radioed for tugboat help and reported a power loss just minutes before the disaster struck. According to federal safety officials, audio from the ship’s “black box” data recorder revealed that the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali had reported losing power and the ability to manoeuvre before crashing into the support pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The head of the National Transportation Safety Board highlighted that the bridge, a vital traffic artery over the harbour, lacked structural engineering redundancies that are common in newer spans. This structural vulnerability made the bridge more susceptible to a catastrophic collapse, leading to the tragic incident that unfolded in Baltimore Harbour.
As rescue efforts continue, divers recovered the remains of two workers who were missing since the bridge collapse. The recovery of the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera shed light on the human toll of the disaster. Four more workers, part of a crew filling potholes on the bridge’s road surface, remain missing and are presumed dead, including immigrants from Honduras and El Salvador.
The economic impact of the bridge collapse is expected to be significant, as the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest on the US Eastern Seaboard, remains indefinitely closed. The port handles a wide range of freight, from automobiles to bulk goods, and its closure could have far-reaching consequences for the local economy.
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The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has not only affected the port operations but has also created a traffic quagmire for Baltimore and the surrounding region. The closure of the bridge has disrupted transportation and shipping routes, leading to logistical challenges for businesses and commuters in the area.
**Interviewing Survivors and Investigating the Cause**
As investigations continue into the cause of the bridge collapse, the NTSB team boarded the idled freighter to interview the ship’s crew members and review information from the Voyage Data Recorder. The recorder data revealed that the pilot had called for tugboat assistance and reported a power outage moments before the crash, indicating the distress signals sent by the ship before the tragic incident.
Video footage captured the moments leading up to the collision, showing the ship’s lights flickering off before the vessel struck the bridge abutment. The recorder data also indicated that the Dali was moving at a considerable speed when it collided with the bridge, causing significant damage and loss of life.
The US Coast Guard’s top priorities are to restore the waterway for shipping, stabilise the vessel, and extract it from the harbour. Efforts are also underway to address the environmental impact of the hazmat containers that were breached during the incident, ensuring the safety of the public and the marine environment.
As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge, the focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, highlighting the importance of infrastructure safety and maintenance in preventing future disasters..
Freighter pilot tugboat help Baltimore bridge
Freighter pilot crash tugboat assistance Baltimore bridge.
