Baltimore bridge collapse: 6 workers presumed dead, search suspended

NEW DELHI: Six workers who were missing after the Baltimore bridge collapsed were presumed dead as authorities called of the search, AP reported.
“Based on the length of time that we’ve gone in this search… (and) the water temperature… at this point we do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” said Coast guard rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath.

The ship involved in the collision, the “Dali,” flagged from Singapore and operated by Synergy Marine Group under Grace Ocean Private Ltd, struck a pillar of the bridge around 1:30 am local time. This impact led to the partial collapse of the bridge, posing risks to both vehicular and maritime traffic.

The “Dali” had a crew of 22 Indian nationals, including two pilots, all of whom have been safely located with no reported injuries. The vessel, a container ship with a capacity of 10,000 TEU, was carrying 4,679 TEU when the incident occurred. It was en route from Baltimore to Colombo when the collision took place.
Vessel details
The “Dali” is a large container ship with a capacity of 10,000 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units), with 4,679 TEU reported onboard at the time of the incident. The ship was navigating outbound from Baltimore towards Colombo when the accident occurred.
Maersk’s involvement
Danish shipping giant Maersk confirmed that the “Dali” was time-chartered by them and was carrying their customers’ cargo. Maersk has expressed their concern over the incident and pledged to keep their customers informed as investigations continue.
Investigative efforts and speculations
The exact cause of the ship’s collision with the bridge remains unclear, sparking widespread speculation and concern. Authorities are investigating the circumstances leading up to the event, including reviewing conditions at sea and the structural integrity of the vessel and the bridge.
(With agency inputs)