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.
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.
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.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff, was laid to rest in a humble ceremony…
The Bihar police have taken swift action in arresting a man accused of raping a…
PM Modi distributed 51,236 appointment letters to newly-recruited candidates in central government departments and organisations…
The Indian Embassy in Berlin organised a solemn memorial service to honour the victims of…
Pop star Joe Jonas recently performed his latest single, Heart by Heart, to a phone-free…
CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has openly acknowledged the team's ongoing struggles in the 2025…