Workers at the site of the bridge collapse are currently focused on extracting the initial piece of debris.
The governor of Maryland announced that the search for missing victims would recommence once the conditions for divers improve. In Baltimore, crews worked tirelessly on Saturday to retrieve the initial piece of wreckage from the water, marking a tangible step forward in the challenging endeavor to reopen the vital waterway.
Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath of the U.S. Coast Guard stated in a press briefing that his team aimed to hoist the first segment of the bridge from the area just north of the deep draft shipping channel. He likened the effort to taking the first steps of a marathon.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge served as a crucial transportation link to one of the largest ports in the United States. Its collapse incurs significant financial losses for the region and the nation the longer it remains inoperative. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland noted that over 8,000 dockworkers have been directly impacted by the incident.
Mr. Moore explained that removing the north sections of the bridge would eventually facilitate the opening of a temporary restricted channel, allowing more vessels to navigate the waters around the collapse site.
Salvage teams will utilize gas-powered cutters to systematically dismantle sections of the steel bridge, which will then be transported to a disposal site.
Less than a week ago, a massive container ship named the Dali suffered a complete blackout and collided with the bridge, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers and the bridge's collapse into the Patapsco River. While the remains of two individuals have been recovered, the search for the others, presumed dead, ceased due to hazardous conditions for divers.
Mr. Moore assured that rescue divers would resume their search once conditions improved. The disaster has deeply affected the Hispanic community in and around Baltimore, where neighborhoods like Highlandtown, Dundalk, and Glen Burnie have seen an influx of immigrants from Latin America.
Relatives and advocacy groups have identified at least five victims, including Jose López, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Miguel Luna, and Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval. The bodies of Mr. Fuentes and Mr. Cabrera were recovered on Wednesday.
Mr. Moore addressed the families of the victims in Spanish, expressing solidarity and compassion. He reiterated that state and federal authorities face a challenging recovery process but emphasized the growing workforce dedicated to the operation.
"We are committed to expediting the recovery efforts," he stated, standing near the wreckage.
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