2024-03-27 07:40:00
(CNN) — The six people still missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore include citizens of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, according to authorities in these countries and relatives of the missing.
The US Coast Guard says it will suspend its search and rescue efforts for the six people, CNN reported.
Rafael Laveaga, head of the Consular Section at the Mexican Embassy in Washington, spoke to reporters near the scene on Tuesday and confirmed that the victims included Mexican citizens, but did not say how many were Mexican.
A journalist asked Laveaga: “We understand that some of these victims might have families or backgrounds from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador. What can you tell us?”
He responded: “Yes, the nationalities involve all the countries that you mentioned and that is why we are here too, because we know that our people are involved,” Laveaga told reporters. “It was a team that was repairing parts of the potholes, I think, on the bridge, and they are the ones who are going to build the bridge once more: the Latinos.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala identified one of the bridge construction workers as a 26-year-old man from San Luis, Petén, and the other is a 35-year-old man from Camotán, Chiquimula, CNN reported.
When asked once more if he might confirm the nationalities, Laveaga said it is too early to determine the nationalities of all the victims.
He said that it is a priority to be in very close contact with the authorities.
“Accidents happen and it was a very unfortunate tragedy,” he said.
A drone view of the Dali cargo ship in Baltimore on Tuesday. (Credit: NTSB/Reuters)
Father of three children from El Salvador among the six missing
Miguel Luna, an immigrant from El Salvador, was identified as one of six people who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed Tuesday, according to a statement from CASA, a nonprofit that provides critical services to immigrants. and working class families.
“Sadly, we discovered that one of the construction workers involved was a former member of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sadness to this already serious situation,” the statement from CASA CEO Gustavo Torres said. .
“Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 pm on Monday followingnoon to go to work and has not returned home,” the statement said. “He is a husband, father of three children and has called Maryland home for more than 19 years,” according to the statement.
“The entire Baltimore region and the CASA family are mourning this tragedy,” Torres said. “Our hearts ache for the families of the victims and everyone affected by this horrible accident,” she said.
“Providing humanitarian support during this crisis is the priority, as families navigate this tragedy and seek answers regarding their missing loved ones,” the statement said.
“CASA is working closely with local municipal leaders in Baltimore County and Baltimore City to seek answers and services for families,” Torres.
“CASA services and community organizing teams conducted wellness checks on all CASA members living in South Baltimore and discovered that one member was indeed affected by the tragedy,” the statement said.
Honduran father of two presumed dead, family says
One of the missing victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse was identified as Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, according to Martín Suazo, the man’s brother.
Martin, who lives in Honduras, told CNN that relatives in Baltimore called him in the early hours of Tuesday morning to tell him that his brother, who had been doing maintenance work on the bridge, was missing following the collapse.
Suazo was originally from Azacualpa, Santa Barbara, in Honduras, but had been living in the United States for the past 18 years. He was a married man and father of two children: an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, his brother told CNN.
Martin said his brother worked in construction but was also an entrepreneur who had started his own maintenance company. He came to the United States in search of a better life, Martin said.
Martin said his family is very grateful for all the support they have received from authorities, especially the FBI, the Honduran Embassy in Washington and the governor of Maryland, who promised to do everything possible to find and recover the bodies.
The family had been informed that the search was suspended Tuesday night due to difficult weather conditions, but were told it would resume Wednesday morning, he said.
According to Martin, the family was clinging to hope, believing that Maynor would be found alive, but at this point they are just hoping that his body can be recovered so the family can have closure and give him a proper goodbye.
— CNN’s Tina Burnside and Maria Santana contributed to this report.
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