Cargo Ship Collision Causes Baltimore Bridge Collapse, Six Presumed Dead

A cargo ship collided with Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in the collapse of the span and the presumed deaths of six construction workers. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, while divers search for the missing workers. The Dali cargo ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash, stating that it had lost power. Despite this, the 985-foot vessel struck one of the bridge's supports at eight knots, causing the span to break and fall into the water within seconds.

Eight construction workers were on the bridge at the time of the crash, filling potholes. Two were rescued shortly after the collapse, while divers recovered the bodies of two others. The remaining four are presumed dead. The US Coast Guard revealed that the ship underwent routine engine maintenance in port before losing power. An inspection of the Dali last June identified a problem with its propulsion and auxiliary machinery, but a standard examination by the US Coast Guard in September found no deficiencies.

Roberto Leon, a Virginia Tech engineering professor, explained that given the vessel's massive weight, it struck the bridge support with significant force. The post can resist impact by bending but cannot absorb the energy brought by such a large ship. Last June, federal inspectors rated the 47-year-old bridge in fair condition. However, experts noted that it did not appear to have pier protection to withstand such a crash.

Two construction workers were rescued from the bridge, while four of the six others remain missing. Searchers recovered the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera on Wednesday. The workers came from Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. One worker, Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, arrived in the US from Honduras nearly two decades ago. El Salvador's foreign minister confirmed that one Salvadoran citizen, Miguel Luna, is among the missing workers.

The ship is owned by Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Ltd, which stated that all crew members are accounted for and there were no reports of injuries. The ship's warning allowed authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span. The accident occurred at 1:30 am, well before morning rush hour. In 2019, an estimated 30,800 vehicles crossed the bridge daily.

The collapse is expected to cause logistical issues by shutting down ship traffic at the Port of Baltimore and disrupting cargo and commuter traffic. The port is a major East Coast hub for shipping. The bridge spans the Patapsco River, which large cargo ships use to reach Chesapeake Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean. President Joe Biden said he expects the federal government to cover all rebuilding costs and approved $60 million in emergency federal aid for debris removal and other initial expenses.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned that rebuilding would take considerable time: "This work is not going to take hours. This work is not going to take days. This work is not going to take weeks." The US Army Corps of Engineers and a commercial salvage company are surveying the site as they plan their salvage operation. While Baltimore is not a major port for container vessels and primarily handles goods such as farm equipment and autos, around 2,400 members of the International Longshoremen's Association Local 333 could lose their jobs until shipping traffic resumes.

Authorities must also address a sheen in the water after some of the 56 containers onboard carrying hazardous materials were breached. Among these materials were corrosives, flammables, and lithium-ion batteries. However, according to the Key Bridge Joint Information Center, there is no immediate environmental threat and air monitoring has shown no volatile organic compounds.