Baltimore, Maryland – A catastrophic event unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday morning as a massive cargo ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a section of the bridge to collapse into the frigid waters below. This tragic incident has led to six people being presumed dead, according to a Coast Guard official.
The collision occurred when a Singaporean-flagged container vessel named DALI struck one of the 47-year-old bridge’s pillars just before 1:30 a.m. The ship’s local pilot made efforts to slow down and steer away from the bridge, but a sudden blackout on the vessel resulted in a loss of engine and electrical power, leaving the ship unable to maintain its course.
Despite the pilot’s attempts to stabilize the ship, it crashed into a pillar on one side of the bridge instead of passing underneath where clearance is highest. Footage of the incident revealed the vessel’s lights flickering on and off as an emergency generator kicked in after the blackout, but the engines failed to restart.
As rescue efforts continue, six construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of the collapse are missing and feared dead. The victims hail from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, highlighting the diverse impact of this tragic event on immigrant communities in the area.
Authorities are now faced with the challenging task of examining damaged containers on the ship, some possibly containing hazardous materials. The Coast Guard is taking precautions to prevent any potential fuel spills from the vessel, which is carrying approximately 1.8 million gallons of marine diesel.
President Joe Biden has pledged federal support for the reconstruction of the bridge, emphasizing the importance of the port to the regional economy and the livelihoods of thousands of workers. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the incident, working to determine the cause of the collision and bridge collapse.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, there is a somber acknowledgment that the road to recovery will be long and challenging. The impact on supply chains and the local economy is expected to be significant, requiring a united effort to rebuild and restore normalcy to the area.