Vehicles Trapped Under US Bridge Debris; Search for More Bodies Halted

In the aftermath of the Baltimore Harbor bridge collapse, federal safety officials disclosed crucial details about the events leading up to the tragedy. According to reports, the pilot of the cargo freighter had radioed for tugboat assistance and reported a power loss just minutes before the fatal incident. These revelations were based on audio recordings retrieved from the ship's "black box" data recorder.

Furthermore, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) highlighted the structural vulnerabilities of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which lacked common structural engineering redundancies found in newer bridges. This deficiency made the bridge more susceptible to catastrophic collapse.

The incident occurred when a massive Singapore-flagged container ship named Dali, departing from Baltimore Harbor en route to Sri Lanka, experienced a loss of power and maneuverability. As a result, the vessel collided with a support pylon of the bridge, causing a significant portion of it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The impact blocked shipping lanes and led to the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest ports on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.

Divers recovered the remains of two of the six missing workers who were thrown into the water during the collapse. The bodies were found in a submerged red pickup truck near the mid-section of the fallen bridge. Efforts to retrieve additional bodies were suspended due to hazardous conditions in the wreckage-strewn harbor. Sonar images indicated other submerged vehicles trapped in the debris, complicating recovery efforts.

The two recovered workers were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of nearby Dundalk. Four more workers, including immigrants from Honduras and El Salvador, were presumed dead. Two workers were rescued from the water on the day of the collapse, with one hospitalized.

The economic ramifications of the incident are significant, given the closure of the Port of Baltimore, which handles a substantial amount of automobile, farm equipment, container, and bulk goods freight. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the port's importance, noting its role in supporting 8,000 jobs and generating $2 million in daily wages.

Despite concerns about potential supply chain disruptions, experts believe that other shipping hubs along the East Coast can absorb the traffic from the closed port, minimizing the impact on goods distribution.

NTSB investigators boarded the cargo ship to interview crew members and review data from the Voyage Data Recorder. The recordings revealed the pilot's distress call for tugboat assistance and the report of a power loss just before the collision. The ship's lights flickered off briefly before the crash, indicating power issues onboard. Commands to drop anchor were also recorded, suggesting efforts to slow the vessel down.

The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on restoring the waterway for shipping and stabilizing the damaged vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard's priority is to extricate the ship and its cargo safely. Although some hazardous material containers aboard the vessel were breached, there is no immediate threat to public safety. Nonetheless, efforts are underway to mitigate environmental risks posed by the spillage of fuel oil and other hazardous materials into the water.

March 28, 2024 12:19 p.m. 8812

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