The body of the sixth and final victim of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse was recovered from the Patapsco River in Baltimore on Tuesday, identified as José Mynor López, 37, of Baltimore. López, along with five other construction workers, was presumed dead after the incident in late March due to the length of recovery efforts and the cold temperature of the river. Salvage teams are now preparing to remove a large piece of the bridge that lays on top of the cargo ship that struck the bridge over a month ago, with crews in their sixth week of clearing debris and wreckage from the site.
The complex removal process of the bridge piece on the cargo ship will involve considering crushed containers, hull damage, and weight shifts to ensure a safe operation. Crews are also removing parts of one of the bridge spans in contact with the ship, prioritizing the safety of salvage crew members during the wreckage operations. Authorities aim to refloat the cargo ship by Friday and reopen the Fort McHenry Channel by the end of the month.
The bridge collapse was caused by the cargo ship, Dali, striking one of its support beams after experiencing a loss of power and steering problems. This incident impacted 15,000 workers’ jobs and 500 local businesses, with affected businesses being able to apply for long-term, low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration to cover expenses. The recovery efforts have been ongoing for weeks, with salvage crews facing challenges due to the extent of the damage and the conditions of the wreckage.
Authorities are working towards reopening the Fort McHenry Channel and restoring normalcy to the area affected by the bridge collapse. The recovery of López’s body brings closure to the families of the victims and allows authorities to continue their efforts to clear the debris and wreckage from the incident’s site. Despite the challenges faced during the salvage operations, crews remain focused on ensuring the safe removal of the bridge piece from the cargo ship and the reopening of the shipping channel in the coming days.
As the recovery efforts continue, authorities are focused on the safety of all individuals involved in the operation and the impact on the local economy. The reopening of the shipping channel and the completion of the removal process will mark a significant milestone in the recovery and restoration of the area following the tragic bridge collapse. The community is coming together to support those affected by the incident and to work towards rebuilding and moving forward from this devastating event.
