The Indian Embassy in the US has expressed condolences for the accident at Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, caused by a Singapore-flagged cargo ship with an all-Indian crew. The ship suffered a power issue and collided with one of the bridge's supports, causing a section to collapse. Despite the tragedy, US President Joe Biden commended the ship's crew for alerting authorities and potentially saving lives. Multiple nations are affected, as some of the missing individuals are Mexican nationals and two were from Guatemala. After a whole day of search and rescue efforts, the US Coast Guard has suspended operations, with six construction workers still missing.
Tragic Collision at Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge
On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship named Zhen Hua 24 experienced a power outage and collided with one of the support towers of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The impact caused a section of the bridge to collapse, resulting in the displacement of several vehicles and the tragic loss of six construction workers.
Details of the Incident
The Zhen Hua 24, a bulk carrier operated by the Singaporean company Pacific International Lines, was carrying a load of cement from South Korea to the Port of Baltimore when the incident occurred. According to preliminary reports, the ship's engine malfunctioned, leading to a loss of control and the collision with the bridge.
Rescue Efforts and Response
As soon as the collision occurred, emergency responders rushed to the scene. The US Coast Guard immediately launched a search and rescue operation, assisted by local fire and police departments. Multiple vessels and helicopters were deployed in an attempt to locate any survivors.
Despite extensive efforts, the search operation was suspended late Thursday evening after no signs of life were detected. The six missing construction workers were presumed dead, and their bodies were later recovered and identified.
International Condolences and Support
The Indian Embassy in the United States expressed condolences for the accident, as the ship's crew was comprised entirely of Indian nationals. President Joe Biden commended the crew for alerting authorities and potentially saving lives by averting further damage to the bridge.
Mexico and Guatemala also expressed concern and support, as some of the missing individuals were Mexican nationals and two were from Guatemala.
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