Construction cranes have been dispatched to Baltimore following a partial collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after a cargo ship collision early Tuesday.
The incident, which occurred when the Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship bound for Sri Lanka, lost power and struck the bridge, has led to a major effort to clear debris from the Patapsco River and facilitate the reopening of the Port of Baltimore.
Multiple media sources report that one of the largest cranes on the East Coast is set to aid in recovery efforts, assisting rescue crews in locating missing victims.
Of the eight construction workers on the bridge during the incident, two have survived, two were rescued along with a red pick-up truck, and four remain missing.
The U.S. government has allocated $60 million in relief to Maryland for bridge repairs, with estimates suggesting costs could reach $2 billion. President Biden has pledged federal support, emphasizing the importance of restoring vessel traffic to the port for the state and national economy.
Governor Wes Moore has echoed these sentiments, stressing the urgency of reopening the channel.
President Biden plans to visit Baltimore next week alongside Governor Moore.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the crash, which involved 23 individuals aboard the cargo ship, including 21 crew members and two pilots.
