The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore shocked the nation, with a police officer exclaiming, “The whole bridge just fell down!” on the dispatch radio. Quick-thinking officers were able to stop traffic and close the bridge, ultimately saving lives and being hailed as heroes by state and city officials. Two of the construction workers who were missing, presumed dead, were recovered from the Patapsco River, while the search for the missing four continues. The victims were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, described as devoted husbands, fathers, and workers.
The container ship involved in the incident, the Dali, began its fateful journey 50 minutes prior to the bridge collapse. The ship lost control, leading to alarms sounding on board and the pilot calling for assistance. As the ship approached the bridge, the bridge came down in a matter of seconds, as captured in dramatic video footage. Attention now turns to the investigation into how and why the Dali cargo ship lost power and how the bridge crumbled so quickly. The National Transport Safety Board has begun gathering evidence, but the investigation is expected to be lengthy and complex.
The Dali cargo ship had routine maintenance while in the Port of Baltimore, with no issues flagged in regards to the engine. The Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath stated that they were informed about routine engine maintenance, but were not informed of any problems with the vessel in that regard. The NTSB has recovered the data recorder from the ship, which will provide valuable data for the investigation. However, the investigation is expected to last one to two years, during which time one of the biggest ports on the eastern seaboard remains shut, impacting trade and supply chains.
As Baltimore, Maryland, and the country come to terms with the loss of six lives, a famous landmark, and important economic infrastructure, questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the bridge collapse. The investigation into the incident will aim to determine the cause of the sudden loss of power on the Dali cargo ship and why the bridge collapsed so rapidly. The closure of the Port of Baltimore has disrupted trade and supply chains, impacting the movement of consumer goods, including automobiles, and depriving suppliers of a major route that handles thousands of trucks and billions of dollars of trade daily. The aftermath of the incident continues to reverberate across the region and the nation, as authorities work to provide answers and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
