Recovery efforts persist at the Port of Baltimore after a devastating incident involving a collapsed bridge and a stranded container ship.
While a second channel has been opened for smaller vessels, commercial shipping remains significantly impeded by the wreckage.
Led by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Maryland state officials, recovery teams have diligently worked to clear a channel with a depth of 14 feet, similar to the previous day’s 11-foot channel.
The primary channel, important for major cargo ships, remains blocked by debris from the bridge collapse.
The Port of Baltimore, renowned for its handling of various commodities, faces substantial disruptions following the calamity.
Salvage crews encounter formidable challenges in disentangling the submerged steel framework of the collapsed bridge, hampering progress in recovery operations.
Despite the arduous tasks ahead, terminal operations outside the affected area have resumed to some extent.
However, the intricate web of steel beneath the waterline poses significant obstacles for salvage crews tasked with dismantling the wreckage.
Colonel Estee Pinchasin of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers highlighted the complexity of the situation, emphasizing the difficulty in determining where and how to cut through the collapsed structure due to its pancaked state.
Tragically, four victims remain trapped beneath the wreckage, while divers have recovered two other bodies. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the site on Friday, signaling federal support for the recovery efforts.
The Biden administration has already secured initial emergency funding of $60 million and has urged Congress to allocate funds for the reconstruction of the bridge, a vital component of Baltimore’s highway infrastructure.
