The Maryland state police announced on Wednesday that the six individuals who were reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, on Tuesday, are now presumed dead.
The collapse occurred when a Singapore-flagged vessel collided with one of the bridge’s pillars.
Initially, eight people were unaccounted for, according to US President Joe Biden. However, two individuals have been rescued, leaving six still missing at the time of the ongoing rescue operation.
President Biden also mentioned that ship traffic in the port of Baltimore has been halted until further notice, with plans to cover the entire cost of reconstructing the bridge.
Synergy Maritime Group, the shipping company involved, confirmed that all 22 crew members aboard were Indian nationals.
Regarding the crew’s nationality, NTSB Chair Homendy stated, “The question is who was on board the vessel and their nationalities. I have heard conflicting information on that…” She further added, “I have seen information about crew members on board. We still need to verify the numbers of crew on board and their status.”
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the significance of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in American infrastructure and acknowledged the challenges ahead in restoring normalcy.
He expressed gratitude for the courageous efforts of first responders, many of whom are actively engaged in rescue operations.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore highlighted that the container ship issued a ‘mayday’ call before colliding with the bridge, prompting swift action from officials to evacuate people on the bridge, ultimately saving lives. He praised the rapid response efforts, referring to those involved as heroes.