Baltimore bridge collapse: Joe Biden hails Indian crew for Mayday warning

In a distressing incident early Tuesday, the cargo ship “Dali” collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing significant structural failure and plunging it into the river below. The entire 22-member crew, reported to be of Indian nationality, had earlier alerted authorities to a “power issue” preceding the catastrophic event.

6 presume dead

Six individuals working on the bridge were missing and feared deceased following the early Tuesday collapse of a section of Baltimore Harbor’s bridge.

As conditions worsened under the cover of night amid the debris-filled waters, the US Coast Guard and Maryland State Police officials decided to halt active search-and-rescue efforts approximately 18 hours post-incident.

“There was no hope of finding the missing workers alive due to the frigid water and the length of time elapsed since the accident,” stated Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath.

State Police Colonel Roland Butler mentioned that the plan was to resume diving operations after dawn on Wednesday to locate and retrieve the bodies of the missing workers.

Crew and ship details

The Singapore-flagged “Dali,” managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, was navigating from Baltimore to Colombo. Despite the severe incident, all crew members, including two pilots, are accounted for without any injuries reported. The vessel, boasting a capacity of 10,000 TEU, was carrying 4,679 TEU at the time of the collision.

‘These people are heroes’

Maryland governor Wes Moore confirmed that the crew issued a Mayday call concerning a power outage, which permitted immediate actions to halt additional vehicles from accessing the bridge.

“We do know that the investigation is currently going on. But I have to say I’m thankful for the folks who, once the warning came up and once notification came up that there was a Mayday, who literally by being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge. These people are heroes, they saved lives last night,” Moore said.

“We are thankful that between the Mayday and the collapse we had officials who were able to begin to stop the flow of traffic so more cars were not up on the bridge,” he said.

“This was so completely unforeseen,” Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said. “We don’t know what else to say. We take such great pride in safety, and we have cones and signs and lights and barriers and flaggers. But we never foresaw that the bridge would collapse.”

Rescuers pulled two people out of the water. One person was treated at a hospital and discharged hours later.

“It looked like something out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy”.

Joe Biden hails crew

The crew notified transportation officials that they had lost control of the ship, prompting the shutdown of the Baltimore bridge before the catastrophic impact, a move that “undoubtedly” resulted in the saving of many lives, according to US President Joe Biden.

“Personnel onboard the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel. As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives,” stated Biden during his comments at the White House regarding the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

In addition, Biden noted that the ongoing investigation into the crash seems to confirm “that this was a terrible accident. At this time, we have no other indication, no other reason to believe if there is any intentional act here”, as he remarked.

Heartfelt condolences on ‘unfortunate accident’ at Baltimore bridge: Indian Embassy in US

“Our heartfelt condolences to all affected by the unfortunate accident at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X.

The Embassy said it has created a dedicated hotline “for any Indian citizens that may be affected/require assistance”.

The Embassy is ascertaining details regarding the vessel’s crew.

Investigation and government response

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident, which preliminary findings suggest was an accident. Moore added that the preliminary investigation “points to an accident. We haven’t seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack”. Moore, in collaboration with various federal and state entities, has declared a State of Emergency to manage the crisis efficiently. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard and local officials are fully engaged in response efforts, coordinating closely with the ship’s management.

Impact and reactions

The incident has profoundly impacted Baltimore, particularly affecting the bustling Port of Baltimore and disrupting local and regional transportation. Maersk, the company chartering the “Dali,” expressed their horror at the event and extended thoughts to all affected. The tragedy has mobilized federal attention, with President Joe Biden committing to a visit and financial support for rebuilding efforts.

Maritime and infrastructure safety concerns

The collision raises significant concerns regarding maritime safety and the resilience of critical infrastructure against unforeseen events. The ship’s previous machinery issues, as noted in shipping records, may become a focal point in ongoing investigations.

Looking ahead

The aftermath of this disaster will likely reverberate through the local community, maritime industry, and transportation networks for the foreseeable future. The loss of the bridge poses a logistical nightmare, prompting urgent calls for thorough inspections, immediate repair efforts, and a reevaluation of safety protocols at major ports.

(With inputs from agencies)

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