The Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse: Crews Make Progress in Recovery Efforts
Baltimore, MD – Crews in Baltimore made significant progress on Saturday in the recovery efforts following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The first piece of wreckage was being pulled out of the water, marking a tangible sign of progress in the daunting task of reopening the busy waterway.
Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath of the U.S. Coast Guard stated at a news conference that the crew was working to lift the first segment of the bridge just north of the deep draft shipping channel. He likened the effort to running a marathon, emphasizing the importance of taking the first few steps.
The collapse of the bridge has had a major impact on transportation to one of the largest ports in the United States, costing the region and the country millions of dollars as the waterway remains closed. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland noted that more than 8,000 workers on the docks have been directly affected by the closure.
Efforts to cut up and remove the north sections of the bridge are underway, with plans to open a temporary restricted channel to allow more vessels in the water around the collapse site. Salvage teams are using gas-powered cutters to systematically separate sections of the steel bridge for disposal.
The collapse occurred less than a week ago when a container ship known as the Dali suffered a blackout and struck the bridge, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers. While the remains of two victims have been recovered, the search for the others has been halted due to dangerous conditions for divers.
Governor Moore assured that authorities have not forgotten about the missing victims, all immigrants from Mexico and Central America. As soon as conditions allow, rescue divers will resume their search efforts.
The tragedy has deeply affected the Hispanic community in and around Baltimore, where immigrant communities have been transformed by waves of Latin American immigrants. The victims, identified as Jose López, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Miguel Luna, and Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, were all involved in maintaining the bridge.
Governor Moore addressed the families of the victims in Spanish, expressing condolences and solidarity. He emphasized the long road to recovery ahead but highlighted the dedication of the 377 people working on the recovery operation.
“We are going to move as fast as possible,” Governor Moore stated, emphasizing the commitment to restoring the waterway and honoring the memory of the victims.
