Tragedy Strikes as Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses in Baltimore
In a devastating incident that has left a community in shock, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. As details continue to emerge, it is becoming clear that six construction workers are presumed dead, with their families now mourning their loss.
The search for the missing workers resumed on Wednesday morning, with hopes of finding them alive diminishing. Among the missing are Miguel Luna, a 49-year-old employee of Brawner Builders from El Salvador, who leaves behind six children. Additionally, two Guatemalans aged 26 and 35 have yet to be accounted for, according to their country’s foreign ministry. Colleagues have informed The Associated Press that the six workers were taking a break in their trucks when the collapse occurred.
The tragedy extends beyond the borders of the United States, as individuals from Honduras and Mexico are also among the missing. Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandova, a Honduran man, has been identified as one of the victims.
The incident occurred when the Dali cargo ship, which had lost power, collided with the bridge at an alarmingly high speed. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland stated that the vessel was heading towards the bridge despite the mayday call and the loss of steering. The impact caused a section of the 1.6-mile-long bridge to break and fall into the water within seconds.
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, with dispatch audio capturing their urgent efforts to save the construction workers who had been operating on the bridge during the collapse. An officer can be heard requesting traffic to be halted on both sides of the bridge and urging the workers to temporarily evacuate. Tragically, less than a minute later, the officer announces that the entire bridge has collapsed.
The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry has released a statement confirming that two Guatemalans were among the missing workers. It revealed that the men were part of a team of eight workers repairing the bridge at the time of the accident. Two individuals were rescued, but one remains in critical condition.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has shocked the nation, leaving families devastated and a community in mourning. As the search for the missing workers continues, the focus now turns to investigating the cause of the incident and ensuring the safety of future infrastructure projects. The loss of life is a tragic reminder of the importance of maintaining and inspecting bridges and other critical structures.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families affected by this tragedy, as well as to the entire Baltimore community.
