Baltimore was shaken by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in the tragic loss of six construction workers. Here are the details:

1. Bridge Collapse: The bridge gave way after being struck by a cargo ship named Dali, which suffered a power failure. This trapped the construction workers, whose fate is sadly presumed to be fatal.
2. Search Operations: Search efforts were halted until Wednesday morning following the collapse. Authorities managed to halt traffic on the bridge after receiving a distress signal from the ship’s crew, potentially averting further casualties.
3. Bridge’s Condition: Governor Wes Moore stated that there were no known structural issues with the bridge prior to the incident. However, the collapse severely damaged it, despite its substantial usage by vehicles annually.
4. Cargo Ship Crew: All 22 crew members aboard the Dali are of Indian nationality and were reported to be unharmed. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and there was no environmental pollution as a result of the incident.
5. Government Response: President Joe Biden pledged to visit Baltimore and assured that the federal government would fund the entire bridge reconstruction. He emphasized the urgency of reopening the port and promptly rebuilding the bridge.
6. Ownership and Legal Issues: The cargo ship is operated by Synergy Marine and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. Both companies have faced legal challenges in the past regarding negligence and worker injuries.
7. Bridge’s Background: The Francis Scott Key Bridge, constructed in the 1970s, was deemed to be in fair condition before the collapse. It served a significant volume of vehicles daily prior to the incident.