Tragedy Strikes as Fourth Body Recovered from Key Bridge Collapse
A tragic incident unfolded at the Key Bridge in Baltimore, where a submerged vehicle yielded a fourth body on Sunday, as reported by the Unified Command.
Out of respect for the family, the victim's identity has not been disclosed.
A missing construction vehicle was found in the river, containing an individual who was trapped inside.
Background of the Incident
The catastrophe occurred when the cargo ship, Dali, collided with the Key Bridge at approximately 1:30 a.m. on March 26. This collision caused eight construction workers to fall into the Patapsco River while they were engaged in repairing bridge potholes.
While two workers were successfully rescued, the recovery operation has now accounted for four bodies. Regrettably, two workers are still unaccounted for and presumed deceased.
"Our hearts go out to the families and friends impacted by this heartbreaking incident. Maryland stands in solidarity with them during this difficult time," expressed Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. "We urge everyone to honor the family's wishes for privacy as we navigate through this tragedy. Let us remember and honor the lives lost, their families, and their dedication to a profession that enriched the lives of countless Maryland residents."
A tragic incident has led to the recovery of the bodies of four individuals: Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, and Hernandez.
"Our hearts continue to break for the loved ones of these victims," expressed Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. "Our entire city stands in solidarity with them, sharing in their grief and sorrow as one more of their beloved has been brought home. To those who are still waiting, we hold onto hope with them, empathizing with their pain and longing for closure. From the very beginning, we have pledged to do everything within our means to support these families, offering whatever assistance they require to endure this unimaginable tragedy."
Efforts to Remove Key Bridge Debris to Sparrows Point
Witnessing the salvage operation in Sparrows Point, WJZ reported on Monday the ongoing process of transporting sections of the Key Bridge for disposal.
One of the largest pieces, a span weighing over 400 tons, was successfully lifted to Sparrows Point using the massive Chesapeake 1,000 crane over the weekend.
"This is our processing yard where all the materials that are removed from the river are brought by barge and crane, very large pieces of material," said James Harkness, the chief engineer working for the Maryland Transportation Authority. "When they brought it in yesterday, they had to cut it in half because it was about 90 feet tall."
Cutting Key Bridge down to size
Welders cut the pieces into an even more manageable size. Crews are also using hydraulic shears.
Responders said every effort is being made to recycle the steel.
The government requires every big ship—including the Dali—to have a designated responder in case a disaster like this happens. In this case, that job was assigned to Resolve Marine.
"Immediately when this happened, we were activated and had people on scene within hours," Resolve Marine CEO Joseph Farrell said.
What's the Dali's damage?
Resolve Marine CEO Joseph Farrell said when the Key Bridge collapsed onto the Dali, it severed the bow of the ship "pretty good."
"When the bridge came down it severed the bow, the front of the ship, pretty good—so a lot of the systems were cut. Wiring to the bow thruster has been severed," Ferrell said.
Farrell said the Dali currently has power.
His crew is trying to get the bow thruster working again. It makes the ship easier to maneuver when they remove enough containers to get it out of there.
"There's a lot of debris. There's rebar. There's concrete"
Divers are actively working in the water every day, facing extremely low visibility in the murky Patapsco River.
"There's a lot of debris. There's rebar. There's concrete. For a first dive, we don't know what dangers are down there, so we have to be very methodical and slow with that. We have something called an umbilical which feeds the diver's air supply to the diver's helmet," explained Robyn Bianchi from DonJon Marine.
She emphasized the caution and precision required due to the hazardous conditions and the ongoing recovery efforts for the remaining victims.
Shortly after the discussion, another victim was successfully retrieved from the water.
Bianchi shared a poignant moment when one of her team's divers located a victim during the operations.
"The diver was brought out of the water in a calm manner," Bianchi explained. "We located the body precisely, contacted the Maryland State Police, who conducted the dive, retrieved the body, and allowed our divers to stay clear of the distressing situation."
Currently, two victims are still missing, with the most recent discovery made on Sunday.
Authorities reported that the individual was found trapped inside a construction vehicle. Although he has been positively identified, his identity remains undisclosed at the request of the family.
"As we grieve the loss of lives and proceed with the recovery efforts, we acknowledge that each missing person is a cherished friend or family member," stated Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police. "Together with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to utilizing all our training and resources to the fullest extent."
Cargo Operations at TradePoint Atlantic
Meanwhile, at TradePoint Atlantic, the primary location near the Port of Baltimore for docking larger ships, cargo operations are in full swing. On Monday, a significant amount of new cars were being unloaded, contributing to job preservation in Baltimore.
"We are ensuring that this cargo remains in Baltimore, as other ports have shown interest in assisting. However, diverting the cargo could result in a permanent shift to another port. We are grateful to be able to support in handling some of this redirected cargo," mentioned Kristin King from TradePoint Atlantic.
Baltimore City Takes Legal Action Against Cargo Ship's Owner
Legal action has been initiated by Baltimore City against parties deemed responsible for the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The FBI has also launched an investigation into the incident.
Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore revealed on Monday that the city has joined forces with two prominent trial law firms to sue those accountable for the disaster, which includes the owner, charterer, operator, manufacturer of the cargo ship, and other involved entities.
The mayor emphasized that the objective is to alleviate the immediate and long-term suffering experienced by Baltimore's residents, particularly the families of the victims, Port of Baltimore workers, and daily bridge users. The exact amount of damages being sought by the city remains undisclosed.
"Our commitment to supporting all those affected by this tragedy remains unwavering, and we are mindful of the human toll this event has taken," stated the mayor. "Part of our responsibility is to pursue accountability from those potentially at fault, especially considering the ship's owner has moved to limit its liability just days after the incident. It is imperative that we act swiftly to safeguard the interests of the City."
