President Joe Biden commended the swift action taken by the 22-member Indian crew aboard the cargo ship that collided with and caused significant damage to a crucial bridge, ultimately saving lives by alerting local authorities before the catastrophic incident unfolded.
The collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, stretching over 2.6 kilometers, occurred early Tuesday morning following the collision with the container ship operated entirely by Indian crew members. The collision, possibly resulting in the loss of six lives, brought one of the northeast US's vital ports to a standstill.
Authorities reported that the Singapore-flagged vessel named 'Dali' encountered a "power issue" and issued a distress call just moments before the collision occurred.
During remarks at the White House, President Biden lauded the crew's actions, emphasizing that their timely alert allowed the Maryland Department of Transportation to close the bridge to traffic, undoubtedly preventing further casualties.
Biden stressed that all evidence thus far points to the incident being a tragic accident, with no indication of any deliberate intent.
According to a representative from the American Pilots Association, the ship experienced a complete blackout shortly before the collision, resulting in a loss of engine and electrical power.
Efforts to mitigate the collision were made by the ship's pilot, who attempted to slow down the vessel and steer it away from the bridge. However, the rapid sequence of events left little time for effective intervention.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore echoed Biden's sentiments, acknowledging the crew's notification of the power issue, which facilitated the prevention of additional vehicles accessing the bridge.
The vessel, owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd, was en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The ship management company, Synergy Marine Group, confirmed that all 22 crew members, including the two pilots, were safe and unharmed.
Following the collapse of the bridge, rescue operations were initiated, resulting in the retrieval of two individuals from the water. However, six construction workers remain unaccounted for, with rescue efforts eventually suspended by the US Coast Guard due to dim prospects of finding survivors.
Among the missing workers are individuals of Mexican and Guatemalan nationality, as confirmed by their respective diplomatic representatives.
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