The removal of the first parts of the collapsed bridge, which weighed several tons, began over the Easter weekend, the responsible authorities in Baltimore announced. This included cutting through massive steel beams and lifting them out of the way with cranes. The first objective was to create a path by which other boats could reach the accident site for rescue and clean-up operations.
Last week, the container ship ‘Dali’ rammed a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the 1.5-mile-long four-lane highway bridge to collapse. Two people were rescued, several were killed.
Salvage work difficult
The bodies of two men have already been recovered from a pickup truck in seven meters of water, and the search continues for four missing people. Authorities assume they are dead. According to the information, the victims were construction workers of Latin American descent who were repairing holes in the bridge at the time of the accident.
Unfavorable conditions also hampered rescue efforts on Sunday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced. Due to the unstable weather, wind and debris, it has not yet been possible to send divers back into the water, Moore told CNN. It is an “incredibly complicated situation.”
Lots of steel rubble
Since the collision, the steel frame of the bridge has been blocking the passage out of the port and the damaged ship remains at the site of the accident. As a Coast Guard representative explained, the part of the bridge that lies on the bow of the “Dali” pushes the ship to the bottom of the river.
“We have a ship almost the size of the Eiffel Tower stuck in the canal and the Key Bridge on top of it,” Governor Moore said of the sheer size. “So it’s going to be a long road.” At the same time, he emphasized that work must progress quickly because of the economic importance of the Port of Baltimore. The accident not only affects the region, but also “the farmer in Kentucky, the car dealer in Ohio and the restaurant owner in Tennessee.”
No timeline for cleanup
The port is one of the most important maritime ports of call in the US – especially for the automotive industry. According to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, supply chain problems are looming nationwide. The US government has approved emergency aid worth 60 million dollars (55 million euros) to the state of Maryland. President Joe Biden plans to visit the site of the accident on Friday, as White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre announced in Washington on Monday.
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland told ABC the priority was restoring access to the port. The livelihoods of thousands of people depend on it. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg told CBS that there is currently no set schedule for the cleanup efforts.
Investigators question crew members
The investigation into the circumstances of the accident also progressed this weekend. Representatives of the American agency responsible for transportation safety, the NTSB, interviewed the crew of the “Dali”. According to American media, it is still on board the cargo ship to respond to possible emergencies. The crew members were also offered psychological help.
“We need answers about what happened,” Governor Moore said. Those responsible must be held accountable. NTSB Chief Jennifer Homendy had previously tempered expectations for a quick final clarification. A preliminary investigation report should be available in the coming weeks. According to initial findings, a power outage on the ship could be the cause. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
