An incident in Baltimore resulted in the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge being demolished with carefully placed explosives. This was a major step in freeing the Dali container ship that had been stuck since crashing into the bridge’s support columns. Six construction workers were killed in the collapse, which also halted maritime traffic through Baltimore’s port. The controlled demolition was successful, and the next step in the cleanup process involves assessing remaining trusses on the Dali to ensure it can be refloated and moved.
The plan is to refloat the ship within the next few days and guide it to a nearby terminal at the port using tugboats. The Dali will undergo temporary repairs at the terminal before being moved to a shipyard for more extensive repairs. The crew of the Dali remained on board during the detonation, with no reported injuries. They have been busy maintaining the ship and assisting investigators following the disaster that led to the ship becoming grounded.
Engineers had spent weeks preparing for the demolition, which was initially postponed due to thunderstorms. An extensive safety plan was in place during the detonation, and no injuries were reported. Authorities opted for precision cuts to control how the trusses would break down during the explosion. The National Transportation Safety Board and FBI are conducting investigations into the collapse, focusing on the ship’s electrical system and the events leading up to the impact with the bridge.
The Dali had been chartered by Maersk for a trip from Baltimore to Sri Lanka but lost power shortly after departing, leading to the collision with the bridge. Cleanup crews have recovered the remains of the six construction workers who perished in the collapse, which occurred while they were working an overnight shift. The operation is on track to reopen the port’s deep draft channel by the end of May, and a temporary channel has been established in the meantime. The port has seen limited commercial traffic in recent weeks but is expected to resume normal operations soon.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Baltimore native, has drawn parallels between the Key Bridge disaster and the historic bombardment of Fort McHenry that inspired the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” She commended the collective response to the tragedy, with various government agencies collaborating efficiently without compromising safety. Pelosi praised the resilience of Maryland in the face of the disaster, emphasizing the strength and determination of the community in overcoming challenges.
