As Index wrote regarding, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a Singaporean-flagged ship collided with it. There were several vehicles on the bridge when the disaster occurred, with sonar equipment showing at least one vehicle submerged.
Rescue teams searched for at least seven people in the eight-degree water.
The authorities finally stopped the search in the evening hours on Tuesday, local time, and declared six people presumed dead.
The coast guard announced at its press conference on Tuesday evening that it cannot be assumed that survivors will be found, and further search work is hindered by deteriorating visibility and weather conditions, as well as the temperature of the water.
Roland Butler, a senior investigator with the Maryland State Police, added that the water is full of debris and the steel wreckage of the bridge, and containers are hanging from the hull above the water, making it dangerous for divers to work. In response to a question, he said that at the moment there is nothing to support the fact that a vehicle was driving on the bridge at the time of the accident, because the traffic was stopped in time, right following the ship gave an emergency signal.
President Joe Biden has pledged all possible aid for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg described the bridge collapse as a “unique circumstance” and also pledged that federal funds would become available to the state of Maryland. As he noted, there is no bridge that would have been able to withstand such a direct impact from a vessel as large as the container ship involved here.
A thorough investigation into the accident will begin
The investigation into the circumstances of the disaster is led by the US National Transportation Safety Board, whose director announced that the investigation will cover in detail the documents of the Singaporean-flagged container ship Dali, as well as its technical condition and inspection history. Jennifer Homendy indicated that the recording of the ship’s recorder will provide important answers regarding the exact events.
According to the ship’s technical inspection documents, there were 27 inspections between 2015 and 2023, during which deficiencies were found twice. The last inspection was carried out by the US Coast Guard last September in New York, when no deficiencies were found, according to public records.
Synergy Marine PTE Ltd., the operator of the ship, announced in a statement that the ship’s crew and the two pilots who were on duty on the steering bridge at the time of the run-out are safe. They also added that they are fully cooperating with federal authorities during the investigation.
An important trade route was destroyed
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge forced the closure of the port of Baltimore, a major transportation hub on the US East Coast, especially because of its deep water, which makes it passable for large cruise ships.
Maryland state senator Ben Cardin emphasized at a briefing held near the site that reopening the port should be a priority because it is key to the region’s economy, but it might have an impact across the country by disrupting the supply chain.
Wes Moore, the governor of the state of Maryland, promised that
the bridge will be rebuilt in a safer and more resilient way, but he added that long work should be expected.
The destruction of the bridge also eliminated an important road transport route in the region, which is an important transport corridor between the capital, Washington, as well as between Philadelphia and New York, and its loss might cause congestion on alternative routes during the upcoming Easter weekend.
The 47th anniversary of the opening of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was commemorated a few days ago, on March 23, by the Maryland Transportation Administration. Construction of the more than two and a half kilometer long bridge spanning the mouth of the Patapsco River began in 1972 and was completed in 1977. The bridge was considered one of the world’s largest multi-span truss structures, with its widest span spanning 366 meters. In its central part, it rose 56 meters above the water.
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