6 Presumed Dead After Massive Cargo Ship Rammed Into The Baltimore Bridge

Six individuals are currently missing and assumed to be dead after a Singapore-flagged container vessel struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, resulting in its collapse.

The Coast Guard informed it had suspended the search and started a recovery endeavor. The bridge, over 2.6km long, was impaired when the vessel struck a support. Officials suggest that the ship encountered a “power issue” and sent a distress call moments before the terrible crash.

Helicopters and boats were part of an extensive search and rescue mission looking for the six missing men. Two others were saved from the water, one in a severe condition.

Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, associated with the US Coast Guard, said that the remaining missing individuals were understood to be dead based on the water temperature when they had fallen in and the duration they had been under the water.

Authorities said they were part of a construction crew repairing potholes when the bridge collapsed. The focus is on investigating what went wrong. A team of transportation safety specialists hopes to board the stricken vessel and recover the data recorder.

Dali’s container vessel struck a support column on the 47-year-old bridge at 05:30 GMT. It set sail roughly at 00:45 from the terminal at Port Breeze. It was headed for Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.

A US federal government agency mentioned that the vessel “lost propulsion” as it departed from the port. According to a report shared by an unclassified Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the crew warned Maryland’s transport officials of a collision.

Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, said he could confirm that the crew members notified relevant authorities of a power problem. He added that the ship lost power before it smashed into a column supporting the bridge.

Officials said several vehicles, including one that was the size of a tractor-trailer, plunged into the water. Baltimore’s fire department, other agencies, and the US Coastguard from Maryland are involved in the rescue.

James Wallace, Baltimore’s fire chief, confirmed that two individuals were rescued, and one was taken to a local trauma centre.

Wallace added that the tide was hindering the rescue efforts. Local officials added that another concern for the rescue experts was the freezing conditions, with the air temperature at about 3 degrees C near the bridge.

Brandon Scott, Baltimore’s mayor, described this incident as an unthinkable disaster, adding that the focus now must be on the people, lives, and souls. Some individuals in the water need to be rescued safely, and that’s the only thing that needs to be discussed.

Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland’s Transportation Secretary, said that the engineers were present on the site to determine the structural effect of the collapse.

Synergy Marine Group informed the BBC that 22 people were on the vessel, including two Baltimore locals and an all-Indian crew attending as port pilots, and there were zero reports of injuries.

Shipping major Maersk said the vessel had been chartered and loaded with customers’ cargo. Maerks is horrified by what happened in Baltimore, and, as mentioned in a statement, its thoughts are with those affected. No Maersk personnel or crew members were on the vessel.

The US president, Joe Biden, said he would visit Baltimore as soon as possible and that search and rescue missions must be prioritized. He mentioned that he had supervised the team in doing what it took to get the port started again and rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.

He also added that the collapse was an accident and that the federal government would pay for the total cost of the bridge—the spending would have to be approved by Congress.

Reference: BBC

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