Six workers were declared missing and presumed dead after a bridge collapsed in Baltimore Harbor early Tuesday. The collapse followed a massive cargo ship, disabled by a power loss, crashing into the structure. This incident forced the closure of one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Despite facing increasingly hazardous conditions in the darkened, debris-filled waters, dive teams had to suspend active search-and-rescue operations about 18 hours after the accident, according to U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland State Police officials.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath stated that the chances of finding the missing workers alive were slim due to the cold water and the time that had passed since the accident. State Police Colonel Roland Butler expressed hope that divers could resume their efforts to recover the workers’ remains after sunrise on Wednesday. The Singapore-flagged container vessel, the Dali, was heading out of Baltimore Harbor bound for Sri Lanka when it collided with a support pylon of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at around 1:30 a.m.
A section of the 1.6-mile (2.57 km) Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the icy waters of Baltimore Harbor, sending vehicles and people into the river. Two survivors were rescued, with one hospitalized. They, along with six others, were part of a work crew filling potholes on the bridge when the incident occurred.
A major disaster was averted as the ship reported a power failure before the collision, allowing officials to halt traffic on the bridge. Maryland Governor Wes Moore praised these actions, stating that the quick response saved lives. Mayor Brandon Scott described the aftermath as resembling a scene from an action movie, with twisted metal scattered.
The closure of one of the country’s busiest shipping lanes will have a significant impact on supply chains, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. However, companies like General Motors and Ford Motor have stated that the disruption will be minimal, as they reroute affected shipments.
The 948-foot (288.95 m) vessel, the Dali, experienced a momentary loss of propulsion before the impact, according to its management company, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. All 22 crew members aboard the ship were safe. The port closure could force shippers to divert cargo, potentially causing delays and increased costs along the Eastern seaboard.
President Joe Biden commended the U.S. Coast Guard and Maryland officials for their swift actions. He promised federal support to rebuild the bridge and reopen the port. The incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from Singapore safety agencies.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is one of the most significant U.S. bridge disasters since the 2007 collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. The Dali was chartered by Maersk at the time of the incident.
