Baltimore bridge collapse: Bodies of two of six missing workers recovered. The divers found them in a van, 7 m deep

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Collapsed bridge in Baltimore. The bodies of two of the six people missing following the disaster in Baltimore were recovered last night. The other four are still being searched for by divers and Coast Guard employees. Due to the fact that after the accident, the port was closed, a new supply crisis threatens the planet. Almost 50 million tons of foreign goods transited the area last year. Two days ago, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship.

By the Observator editorial team on 28.03.2024, 08:29

The police noticed in time the black smoke emitted by the ship of almost 100,000 tons that ran out of engines near the bridge in Baltimore.

Policeman: I need you on the south side and the north side, stop all traffic on the Francis Scott Key Bridge! A ship approaches, seems to have lost control. Until we have everything under control, we have to stop the traffic.

The bodies of two of the six missing persons, recovered

The rapid closure of traffic limited the proportions of the tragedy. Hundreds of people who were preparing to cross the bridge with cars escaped. The victims are, however, six workers who were making repairs.

Policeman: There’s a team over there. I think you need to let the foreman know so we can see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily.

However, the police did not manage to remove the workers from the bridge. A few seconds later, the enormous ship hit the nearly 50-year-old building and demolished it.

Policeman: C-13 I’m reporting, the entire bridge has collapsed! Come on, come on, everyone! The whole bridge collapsed!

The authorities searched for the six workers for 18 hours, but in vain. Until last night.

Roland L. Butler, Maryland State Police: Divers found a red pickup truck about seven feet deep in the center opening area of ​​the bridge. They recovered the bodies of the two victims, trapped inside a vehicle.

As for the other four workers, no trace.

Authorities in the United States began an investigation to find out why the ship’s engines stopped. Poor fuel quality is one hypothesis.

The reconstruction costs of the bridge are estimated at 600 million dollars

Capt. Michael Burns Jr., Maritime Center for Responsible Energy: If a ship loses its propulsion and direction, it is at the mercy of the wind and current. It will go where it is worn. There are few things more terrifying than losing control in shallow water.

The reconstruction costs of the bridge are estimated at 600 million dollars.

Joe Biden, US President: I have asked my team to move heaven and earth to reopen the port and rebuild the bridge as soon as humanly possible. It is my intention that the Government will defray the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge, and I expect Congress to support my effort. It will take some time. The people of Baltimore can count on us.

Every day, new details about the ship’s history come to light – by no means a clean one. Last summer, on June 27 to be exact, the Dali vessel arrived at the port of San Antonio to unload cargo. Also then, the ship was subjected to an inspection. However, he did not pass the test.

Eugen Bosque, San Antonio Harbor Master: During the inspection, it was found that two pressure gauges on the main engine were unreadable, and the inspector ordered that this irregularity be corrected before the ship got underway.

Baltimore bridge collapse could disrupt supplies worldwide

The collapse of the Baltimore bridge does not only bring trouble to Americans. Global supply chains could also be disrupted. Last year alone, 47 million tons of cargo passed through the Port of Baltimore.

Mark Conway, Councilor, Baltimore City Council: The Port of Baltimore is one of the largest ports in the country and is an economic engine of the region. I could say that it is an important pawn in global trade.

The economic tsunami produced by the collapse of the bridge could reach Europe. Every month, half a million tons of liquefied gas leave Baltimore for Europe and Great Britain.