A catastrophic event unfolded in the United States on Tuesday as a Singapore-flagged shipping vessel suffered a critical power failure and collided with the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge, plummeting into the Patapsco River.
In the aftermath, US authorities launched a search and rescue operation upon receiving reports of eight missing construction workers. While two workers were successfully retrieved, the fate of the remaining six was tragically presumed to be fatal, prompting the suspension of search efforts on Wednesday morning.
US officials, including President Joe Biden, lauded the workers engaged in the rescue mission. Notably, Indian crew members aboard the Ship ‘Dali’ emerged as heroes after the Maryland Department of Transportation revealed their timely alert facilitated the closure of the bridge to traffic prior to the devastating crash.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, President Biden termed the Baltimore disaster a “terrible accident,” acknowledging the crew’s notification to the transportation department before losing control of the ship, a move that he asserted “undoubtedly” contributed to saving countless lives.
US President Joe Biden praises Indian crew for their presence of mind which saved lives. ” As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives.”#baltimorebridge #marylandbridge #USA pic.twitter.com/eiKrdBNOHy
— Kundan Mehta (@Dataflixed) March 27, 2024
Following the Indian crew’s mayday alarm, a dispatcher issued a radio warning, alerting authorities of the cargo ship’s loss of steering capabilities and its impending collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Within approximately 90 seconds, police officers successfully halted automobile traffic on the bridge, reported AP.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed gratitude for the crew’s swift action, noting that their mayday call enabled workers to prevent vehicular traffic from accessing the bridge, thereby averting further catastrophe.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore: “These people (the Indian ship crew) are heroes. They saved lives.”pic.twitter.com/FtjuTlKW3R
— Desi AI (@desiiAI) March 27, 2024
In the wake of the incident, both President Biden and Governor Moore commended the Indian crew members, along with two local pilots, for their valour and quick thinking. Additionally, on social media platform X.
Synergy Marine Group, the vessel management company, confirmed the safety of all crew members. However, the six workers presumed dead hail from Latin American countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador.
