New Delhi: The prompt response by local authorities following the incident at Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore garnered praise from US President Joe Biden. The bridge, a vital thoroughfare, collapsed on Tuesday after a collision with a large freight ship. Biden also commended the crew of the ship, noting that they were all of Indian nationality.
“The personnel aboard the vessel promptly notified the Maryland Department of Transportation about the loss of control over their ship, as has been widely reported. Consequently, local authorities managed to close the bridge to traffic before the collision occurred, undoubtedly preventing loss of life,” stated Biden during his address.
“We extend our deep appreciation to the courageous rescuers who swiftly arrived at the scene,” added the US President.
The incident involved the Singapore-flagged container ship Dali, which was departing Baltimore with a full cargo bound for Sri Lanka when it collided with a concrete pier supporting the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a significant portion of the bridge to collapse into approximately 50 feet of cold water below.
Just before the collision, the ship issued a distress call indicating a loss of power, prompting authorities to take urgent action to halt traffic on the bridge, potentially saving lives.
CCTV footage captured moments before the crash shows the ship losing power twice, with a visible puff of smoke preceding the collision.
While all 22 crew members were unharmed and safely located, six repairmen working on the bridge were reported missing. They were part of a construction crew tasked with repairing potholes on the bridge when it collapsed around midnight.
Biden also announced that the federal government would bear the entire cost of rebuilding the bridge.
When questioned about the rationale behind the federal government assuming responsibility despite potential liability on the part of the ship and its operator, Biden responded, “That may be the case, but we cannot afford to delay. Our priority is to fund the reconstruction of the bridge and reopen it.”
Authorities have closed the port “until further notice,” with traffic being redirected away from the bridge as rescue operations continue.
The collapse is expected to have significant repercussions on the region, with disruptions to traffic in Baltimore and potential shipping delays due to debris obstructing the waterway.
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