By Trend News Line 2024-03-28 02:51:59.
Divers Make Grim Discovery in Baltimore Harbour
In a tragic turn of events, divers have recovered the remains of two of the six workers who went missing after a highway bridge collapsed into Baltimore Harbour. The collapse occurred when a cargo freighter struck the structure, causing it to crumble into the water below. The bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk, have been recovered, while four other workers remain missing and are presumed dead.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by treacherous conditions in the wreckage-strewn river, with sonar images showing additional submerged vehicles trapped in fallen bridge debris. The workers, who were part of a crew filling potholes on the bridge, hailed from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The collapse of the bridge has forced the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest on the US Eastern Seaboard.
NTSB Investigates Cause of Tragedy
A team of federal investigators has boarded the cargo freighter to interview the 22 crew members who were on board when the accident occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recovered the vessel’s “black box” data recorder in hopes of piecing together a precise timeline of the events leading up to the collapse. Recordings of radio chatter before the crash offer insight into the chaotic moments before the bridge gave way.
The Singapore-flagged Dali had reported a loss of power before impact and dropped anchor to slow the vessel, giving authorities little time to clear the bridge and prevent further loss of life. The collapse has led to the suspension of port operations and created a traffic nightmare for Baltimore and the surrounding region. The cost of the accident in terms of shipping insurance claims could reach as high as $4 billion, making it a record loss in the industry.
Focus Turns to Restoring Port Operations
The US Coast Guard’s top priorities are to restore the waterway for shipping, stabilize the vessel, and clear the wreckage from the bridge before moving the freighter. The incident has raised questions about the ship’s previous operations, but officials say it had a fairly good safety record. There is no immediate threat to the public from the hazardous materials on board, but efforts are being made to contain any potential environmental impact.
The Port of Baltimore handles a significant amount of automobile freight and container cargo, but experts believe the closure will not cause a major supply chain crisis due to the capacity at other ports along the Eastern Seaboard. The NTSB will continue its investigation into the cause of the crash, including examining whether contaminated fuel played a role in the ship’s power loss. The tragic incident has left a mark on the city of Baltimore and has raised concerns about the safety of maritime operations in the region..
– Baltimore divers recover bodies harbour bridge collapse
– Bodies recovered Baltimore divers harbour bridge collapse.