The aftermath of the catastrophic collision that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge continues to unfold. U.S. federal safety investigators have retrieved the black box from the freight ship involved in the incident, according to the chief of the agency. “The data recorder is crucial for understanding the sequence of events that led to this tragedy,” stated Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The bridge, a 1.6-mile structure integral to the Port of Baltimore’s operations, was struck by the container ship Dali in the early hours of Tuesday, causing a significant portion to collapse. “Our teams are meticulously examining the wreckage to determine the cause of the accident,” Homendy revealed.
The disaster has resulted in the indefinite closure of the Port of Baltimore, a key hub on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, leading to widespread traffic disruptions. Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with two construction workers being saved from the waters. Sadly, six workers, including immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, are presumed dead.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed the sombre reality of the search operations: “In the depths of the Patapsco River, our rescue teams face near-total darkness as they navigate through the debris, hoping to find the missing individuals.”
The Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel, experienced a loss of propulsion before the collision. The ship’s crew managed to drop anchor, which slowed down the vessel and allowed for traffic to be stopped on the bridge. “This quick thinking may have prevented an even greater loss of life,” authorities noted.
Investigations into the ship’s safety record have revealed previous incidents, including a collision in the port of Antwerp in 2016 and a recent inspection in Chile that identified deficiencies in the ship’s propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
