Divers recovered the remains of two workers from Baltimore Harbor following a devastating bridge collapse caused by a cargo freighter collision. The incident occurred when the freighter lost power, striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge and sending it crashing into the water below.
Maryland State Police Colonel Roland Butler stated that the bodies were found in a submerged red pickup truck near the bridge’s mid-section.
Efforts to retrieve more bodies were suspended due to hazardous conditions caused by debris in the river. Sonar images revealed additional vehicles trapped in the wreckage, complicating recovery efforts.
The deceased workers, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, were part of a crew repairing potholes on the bridge. Four other workers remain missing and are presumed dead, hailing from Honduras and El Salvador.
The port’s closure, resulting from the bridge collapse, disrupted shipping operations significantly. Federal investigators boarded the cargo ship to interview its crew and retrieve crucial evidence, including the vessel’s data recorder.
Recordings of radio chatter before the accident shed light on the chaotic moments leading up to the collapse, highlighting authorities’ efforts to avert further tragedy.
The collision also prompted concerns about the ship’s safety record and potential environmental hazards. While the vessel carried hazardous materials, authorities assured the public there was no immediate threat.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) initiated a thorough investigation, focusing on factors such as contaminated fuel and operational history.
Efforts to reopen the port and stabilize the cargo ship were prioritized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Despite the port’s closure, experts downplayed the likelihood of a major supply chain crisis, citing alternative shipping hubs along the Eastern Seaboard.
