In a tragic turn of events, a catastrophic collision involving a container ship has led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US. The incident, occurring in the late hours of Tuesday, has left six individuals feared dead, while miraculously, the Indian crew aboard the vessel emerged unharmed.
The container ship, named Dali and manned entirely by an Indian crew, encountered a momentary loss of propulsion, rendering it uncontrollable in its path. Despite efforts to avert disaster, the ship rammed into the historic bridge, causing a catastrophic collapse, sending a section of it plunging into the Patapsco River below.
Authorities swiftly mobilized rescue efforts, yet tragically, the search for the missing repairmen, who were part of a construction crew tasked with repairing potholes on the bridge, yielded no survivors. With heavy hearts, rescue operations have been called off, as the harsh realities of the situation have led officials to presume the worst for those still unaccounted for.
“Based on the length of time that we’ve gone in this search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature… at this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” expressed US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, reflecting the somber acknowledgment of the grim outcome.
The aftermath of the collision saw commendable acts of bravery and quick thinking. Despite the chaos, the crew of the vessel managed to issue a distress call, alerting bridge officials of the imminent collision. This crucial Mayday signal enabled authorities to halt traffic on the bridge, potentially averting further casualties.
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“We’re thankful that between the Mayday and the collapse that we had officials who were able to begin to stop the flow of traffic. These people are heroes. They saved lives last night,” commended Maryland Governor Wes Moore, acknowledging the valiant efforts amidst the chaos.
Amidst the tragedy, the Indian Embassy in the US extended condolences and support to those affected by the horrific accident. A dedicated hotline was established to provide assistance to any Indian citizens impacted by the collision, underscoring the importance of international solidarity in times of crisis.
While speculations and theories may arise in the wake of such incidents, authorities have swiftly dismissed claims of foul play or cyber-attacks. The focus remains on recovery efforts and providing closure to the families impacted by this devastating event.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the aftermath of the US Bridge Collapse, it stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of infrastructure and the resilience of human spirit in the face of adversity.