2 bodies were recovered during the ongoing investigation of the Baltimore bridge collapse.
The ship’s crew issued a distress call on Tuesday, reporting a loss of power and control just moments before colliding with one of the bridge’s columns.
In a devastating incident on Tuesday, a cargo ship collision led to the collapse of a highway bridge in Baltimore, resulting in the deaths of two workers and leaving four others missing and presumed dead. The accident occurred early Tuesday morning, plunging the workers into the river below.
Divers, in a brave effort, managed to recover the bodies of two men, aged 26 and 35, from inside a submerged red pickup truck near the Francis Key Scott Bridge. The deceased workers hailed from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The identities of the deceased were confirmed as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, from Mexico, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, from Guatemala.
Efforts to locate the remaining missing workers have been halted due to dangerous conditions in the water, as stated by Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., superintendent for Maryland State Police. The workers were part of a crew repairing potholes on the bridge when the cargo ship, named Dali, collided with one of its pillars.
The aftermath of the collision also revealed a hazardous situation, with the cargo ship carrying 56 containers of dangerous materials, including corrosives, flammables, and lithium-ion batteries. Some of these containers have been breached, posing additional risks to the environment and rescue efforts.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Baltimore community, prompting investigations by authorities and support from diplomatic missions of the affected workers’ home countries. The closure of the port and the disruption of the highway loop around the city have further compounded the impact on transportation and commerce.
As the search and salvage operation continue, the focus remains on recovering the bodies of the missing workers and assessing the environmental and infrastructural damage caused by the incident. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reopen the port and restore the vital transportation link severed by the bridge collapse.
