All 22 Crew Members Safe After Collision with Francis Scott Key Bridge
New reports have revealed that all 22 crew members in charge of the ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore were Indians. The ship, named Dali and flying the Singapore flag, collided with the bridge carrying the Indian crew, with initial reports indicating a power issue on board.
Authorities were alerted to the vessel’s power problem before the collision, ensuring all crew members’ safety. Among the crew were two pilots who were also confirmed safe.
In a press statement, Maryland Governor Wes Moore explained that the ship was traveling at approximately eight knots, and the power loss occurred before the collision. He emphasized that investigations have pointed to this being an accident and not a terror attack. The crew’s Mayday call prompted responders to halt traffic from accessing the bridge, potentially preventing further casualties.
“We can confirm that the crew notified authorities of a power issue. These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” Moore stated, expressing gratitude to those who responded to the distress call and prevented additional vehicles from entering the bridge.
Governor Moore has declared a state of emergency in Maryland, directing resources from the government to assist in the aftermath.
The impact of the Dali on the steel structure of the bridge caused over half of it to collapse into the water. The ship was en route to Colombo, Sri Lanka, from Baltimore when the collision occurred.
Tragically, a construction team of eight working on the bridge at the time fell into the river, with only two being rescued. One worker escaped unharmed, while another sustained injuries. The remaining six workers are presumed dead, with officials citing the cold water and lengthy time since the fall as factors.
The US Coast Guard and Maryland State Police conducted a search operation, which was suspended 18 hours after the incident due to challenging conditions.
The Baltimore City Fire Department has classified the incident as a mass casualty event, citing footage showing the extensive damage caused by the collision.
