On Tuesday, a dramatic incident unfolded as the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship named Dali. The bridge, a vital link in East Coast shipping, ended up crashing into the Patapsco River within seconds.
The events leading up to the collapse were recently uncovered through the “black box” voyage data recorder (VDR) of the 984-foot Singapore-flagged vessel. It was revealed that the Dali lost power while leaving Baltimore Harbor at around 1:27 a.m. and subsequently collided with the bridge.
In response to the disaster, local, state, and federal authorities have come together to form a Unified Command. Dive operations and vehicle recovery have been temporarily halted due to unsafe conditions in the river.
Fortunately, the 22 crew members on board the Dali emerged unscathed. However, tragically, eight construction workers who were on the bridge are presumed to have lost their lives.
Reconstructing the Francis Scott Key Bridge is projected to take approximately two years and cost a staggering $350 million. The first $60 million in federal funding has already been approved for emergency repairs.
The timeline leading up to the collapse indicates various warning signs, including alarms, steering commands, and a distress call from the ship’s pilot minutes before the fateful collision. As investigations continue, more details are expected to emerge about the causes and repercussions of this devastating event.
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