World News

Baltimore bridge collapse: Divers locate two remains in truck

In the aftermath of the Baltimore bridge collapse, the remains of two people have been retrieved from a red pickup vehicle that was submerged in water.

 

A ship collided with a bridge, causing eight construction workers to be submerged in the waters below.

 

Two workers were successfully rescued on the day, while the search efforts persist for the remaining four individuals, who are unfortunately presumed to have lost their lives.

 

Efforts are underway to handle the dangerous substances salvage crews while accident investigators have arrived at the scene.

 

Names have been released for four out of the six bridge collapse victims.

 

During a press conference held on Wednesday, Maryland State Police revealed the identities of the two workers found inside the truck: Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26. Divers were responsible for recovering their bodies. Mr Fuentes hails from Mexico, while Mr Cabrera comes from Guatemala.

 

According to authorities, the presence of concrete and debris in the river has made it unsafe for divers to navigate the waters. An official reported that sonar scans are currently being utilised to locate vehicles potentially holding additional bodies. These vehicles are suspected to be trapped beneath the bridge debris, encased in superstructure and concrete.

 

 Two additional individuals who are believed to have perished have been identified as Miguel Luna, hailing from El Salvador, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, a citizen of Honduras

 

According to Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two of its citizens were tragically presumed dead, with one of them now identified as Mr. Fuentes. Fortunately, another individual was successfully rescued from the water.

 

According to officials, one individual hospitalised after being rescued from the water was discharged on Wednesday evening.

 

Hours were spent on Tuesday by first responders searching the waters of the Patapsco River for the six construction workers. These workers were diligently working on potholes on the bridge around 01:30 (05:30 GMT) when a ship collided with the bridge.

 

The US Coast Guard called off the search at sunset, as they concluded that the workers were presumed dead due to the cold water temperatures and the passage of several hours.

Authorities have committed to locating the remains of people looking for their loved ones.

 

"We must provide closure to these families," stated Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, during a press conference on Wednesday. He emphasized the extensive allocation of air, land, and water resources towards the search for the victims.

"I assure them that I will dedicate all available resources to ensure that they receive the closure they deserve," he stated.

 

According to Coast Guard Vice Admiral Peter Gautier, the operation has posed significant challenges.

 

Brave divers have fearlessly ventured into the frigid waters, navigating through a sea of twisted metal remnants from the collapsed bridge.

 

According to Mr Gautier, the cargo vessel is stable but carries more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel and lube oil.

 

Approximately 4,700 cargo containers were on board, with 56 of them carrying hazardous materials.

 

"We have witnessed a swift and determined response from the Coast Guard as they take action to board the vessel," stated Mr. Gautier, emphasizing the presence of their teams on board.

 

Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, reported that specific containers containing hazardous materials had been compromised.

 

The US Navy is set to employ barges equipped with powerful cranes, capable of hoisting up to 1,000 tonnes, to extract the bridge sections that have submerged in the water.

 

According to marine specialist Jim Bellingham, conducting thorough investigations into the events that transpired on the ship will be of utmost importance, as he emphasized in an interview.

 

"The ship's survival is a significant advantage, as it grants them access to the bridge records and, with any luck, recordings of the events," he stated.

Authorities eagerly await the analysis of the data recorder retrieved from the ship during the night to gain valuable insights.

 

A vessel named the Dali experienced a sudden loss of power en route to Sri Lanka. In distress, the ship called for help before colliding with the Baltimore Bridge.

 

According to officials, the recent bridge collapse at a crucial port could jeopardize global supply chains and significantly impact the US economy.

 

In a statement, Mr Moore expressed concern over the potential impact of the bridge collapse on 8,000 jobs, referring to the incident as a "global crisis."

 

"The port plays a crucial role in both the national and global economy," he emphasised, highlighting the staggering $80 billion (£63.4 billion) worth of cargo that passed through its gates last year.

Baltimore ship accident worries supply chain

 

During a press conference on Wednesday, Paul Wiedefeld, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, acknowledged that replacing the bridge will take a lot of work.

 

However, he assured the public that officials are diligently working to develop a design for the new bridge as swiftly as possible. The aim is to restore operations at the port and get the community back on its feet.

 

According to experts, the collapse of Key Bridge could result in daily losses of up to $15m (£11.8m) until the shipping lane is reopened.

 

US Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland expressed confidence in the Biden administration's commitment to providing the necessary resources for the state's recovery and constructing a replacement bridge.

 

"Ensuring the swift reopening of the shipping lane is of utmost importance, given its significant implications for our nation and the global supply chain," he stated.

 

Investigators are investigating the possibility of dirty fuel being a contributing factor in the tragic crash. According to maritime experts, the presence of contaminated fuel can lead to a ship experiencing a blackout, as it can adversely affect the vessel's main power generators.