Accident in Baltimore

Huge pieces of debris recovered after bridge collapse

Following the bridge collapse in Baltimore, emergency services have begun to salvage the first bridge sections.

(Bild: APA/AP Photos/Mike Pesoli)

Following the collapse of a large highway bridge in the US state of Maryland, the clean-up work has begun. The removal of the first parts of the collapsed bridge, weighing several tons, began over the Easter weekend, according to the responsible authorities in Baltimore. Among other things, massive steel beams had to be cut through and lifted out of the way with the help of cranes.

The initial aim was to create a path through which other boats could reach the accident site for salvage and clean-up work. Last week, the container ship "Dali" rammed into a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the more than 2.5-kilometre-long, four-lane highway bridge to collapse. Two people were rescued, several were killed.

Search for four missing persons continues
The bodies of two men have already been recovered from a pickup truck in seven meters of water, and the search for four missing persons is still ongoing. The authorities assume that they are dead. According to reports, the victims are construction workers of Latin American origin who were repairing potholes on the bridge at the time of the accident.

Tons of steel and concrete had to be removed in Baltimore.

(Bild: APA/AFP/US COAST GUARD/Taylor BACON)

Adverse conditions continued to hamper the recovery work on Sunday, according to the governor of the US state of Maryland, Wes Moore. Due to the unstable weather, wind and debris, it has not yet been possible to send divers back into the water, Moore told CNN. It was an "incredibly complicated situation".

Since the collision, the steel skeleton of the bridge has blocked the passage out of the harbor, and the wrecked ship is still at the scene of the accident. As a representative of the coast guard explained, the part of the bridge lying on the bow of the "Dali" is pushing the ship to the bottom of the river.

"A long way to go"
"We have a ship that's almost as big as the Eiffel Tower stuck in the channel and the Key Bridge is on top of it," said Governor Moore about the massive scale. "So it's going to be a long haul." At the same time, he emphasized that the work must proceed quickly due to the economic importance of the Port of Baltimore. The disaster affects not only the region, but also "the farmer in Kentucky, the car dealer in Ohio and the restaurant owner in Tennessee".

The port is one of the most important maritime ports of call in the USA - especially for the automotive industry. According to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, supply chain problems are looming nationwide. The US government has approved emergency aid of 60 million dollars (55.50 million euros) for the state of Maryland. President Joe Biden plans to visit Baltimore this week.

Restoring access to the port is a priority, said Chris Van Hollen, Senator from Maryland, on ABC. The livelihoods of thousands of people depend on it. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg told CBS that there was no fixed timetable for the clean-up work.

Investigation underway
Investigations into the course of the accident also progressed over the weekend. Representatives of the US authority responsible for transportation safety, the NTSB, questioned the crew of the "Dali". According to US media, they are on board to respond to possible emergencies. The crew members were also offered psychological help.

"We must have answers to what happened", said Governor Moore. Those responsible must be held accountable. NTSB chief Jennifer Homendy had previously dampened expectations of a quick final clarification. However, a preliminary investigation report should be available in the coming weeks. According to initial findings, a power failure on the ship could have been the cause.