Six persons were presumed dead late Tuesday (March 26) in the eastern United States of America following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The superintendent for Maryland State Police, announced the commencement of a search and recovery mission.
“Based on the length of time that we have gone in this search, the extensive search efforts that we’ve put into it, the water temperature that at this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,”So, at around 7:30 p.m., we will halt active search and rescue efforts. The Coast Guard isn’t going away. None of our partners are leaving, rather we are simply transitioning to a new phase.
The Dali, a cargo ship traveling from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, lost power and collided into the bridge early Tuesday morning (March 26). The ship’s crew sent a mayday call just before the crash.
The tragedy occurred in the middle of the night, well before the hectic morning commute on the bridge, which was utilized by 12 million vehicles last year.
The six missing people were members of a construction crew fixing potholes on the bridge.
Rescuers retrieved two persons from the water, one of whom was treated in a hospital and released hours later. Multiple automobiles also into the river, although authorities believed no one was inside.
Jesus Campos, who has worked on the bridge for Brawner Builders and knows part of the team, said he was told they were taking a break and some were sitting in their trucks.
“I know that a month ago, I was there, and I know what it feels like when the trailers pass,” he said. “Imagine being aware that you are falling. It’s really hard. “One wouldn’t know what to do.”
Father Ako Walker, a Roman Catholic priest at Sacred Heart of Jesus, said he spent time with the families of the missing workers while they waited for word on their loved ones.
“You can see the pain etched on their faces,” Walker remarked.
A logistical nightmare
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at a press conference that it was too early to predict how long it will take to clear the canal, which is roughly 50 feet (15 meters) deep.
Paul Wiedefeld, the state’s transportation secretary, stated that all vessel travel into and out of the port would be suspended until further notice, however the facility would remain available to trucks.
Tuesday’s collapse is expected to cause a logistical nightmare along the East Coast for months, if not years, by shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore, a crucial center. The bridge’s closure will also disrupt cargo and commuter traffic.
US President Joe Biden said he plans to visit Baltimore and that the federal government will cover the entire cost of rebuilding.
“This is going to take some time,” Biden explained.
Last year, the Port of Baltimore handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo worth $80 billion, according to the state.
The director of a supply chain management firm said Americans should expect shortages of commodities as a result of the collapse’s impact on ocean container shipping and East Coast trucks.
However, because Baltimore is not a major container port, the collapse is unlikely to have a significant impact on global trade. Judah Levine, head of research for global freight booking platform Freightos, believes that its facilities are more vital for products like farm equipment and automobiles.
The bridge crosses the Patapsco River at the entrance to the busy harbor, which connects to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The bridge, which opened in 1977, is named for the author of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”