US Bridge Collapse: Tuesday at midnight, the ship lost power for a brief period of time, making it impossible for it to steer.
Following a ship’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday, the structure collapsed and fell into the water, possibly killing six people. Rescue efforts have been canceled by the authorities, who believe that the missing people perished in the crash.
When the container ship Dali, which was fully staffed by Indians, briefly lost power, it collided with the bridge. Six of the crew members on the bridge have gone missing, but the other 22 were unharmed and present. The bridge collapsed at midnight when they were working as part of a construction crew to fix potholes in it.
US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath was quoted by news agency AFP as saying, “Based on the length of time that we’ve gone in this search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature… at this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive.”
Due to the water’s currents and temperature, which make it impossible for divers to stay down for extended periods of time, the police announced that they are now shifting their focus from search and rescue efforts to recovery.
In addition to expressing condolences for the terrible accident, the Indian Embassy in the US provided a helpline for any Indian nationals hurt in it. “We extend our sincere sympathies to everyone impacted by the tragic incident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The Embassy of India has established a dedicated hotline for any Indian individuals who may be impacted or in need of assistance. Please contact us at +1-202-717-1996,” the post stated on X.
Crew tried to avert crisis
Tuesday at midnight, the ship lost power for a brief period of time, making it impossible for it to steer. Anticipating a disaster with the 1977 bridge, the ship sent a distress call, or Mayday signal, alerting other vessels to the impending collision. In a desperate attempt to halt the ship’s progress, anchors were lowered.
Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, stated that the distress call was essential in helping bridge officials prevent cars from using the span. Twenty people and several vehicles tumbled into the Patapsco River when the ship struck the bridge. A video clip showed the 300-meter container ship smashing into one of the bridge’s legs at tremendous speed.
“We are appreciative that we have officials who could start to halt traffic during the Mayday and the collapse. These folks truly are heroes. They prevented fatalities last night,” Mr. Moore stated, as reported by AFP.
There were suggestions on social media that the crash signaled the “beginning of WW3” and was the result of a cyberattack on the United States. The FBI and other US authorities, however, denied that they had discovered any evidence linking the crash to a terrorist plot.
What happens next?
Although the search has been canceled, boats will still patrol throughout the night.
Traffic is being rerouted away from the bridge despite the port being closed “until further notice”. Since it was a crucial linking bridge in the area, the collapse will have an impact on vehicular traffic. Debris in the sea may also have an impact on shipping.
A state of emergency was proclaimed by the governor of Maryland, and authorities are keeping an eye out for any gasoline leaks from the ship.
