Rescuers in Baltimore Lose Hope of Finding More Survivors in Bridge Collapse- The search for survivors in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has been called off, with officials stating they do not expect to find any more survivors. The decision to suspend the search and transition to recovery operations was made after nearly 18 hours of intensive efforts, considering the water temperature, the extensive search efforts, and the conditions that have made diving and recovery efforts too dangerous to continue.

The bridge collapse occurred when a Singapore-flagged vessel named Dali struck the bridge around 1:30 a.m., leading to its collapse into the Patapsco River. The water temperature was measured at 48 degrees, and the lack of visibility, along with fallen bridge structures, made the conditions too dangerous for divers to continue their efforts until early Wednesday morning.

Key Facts

• The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge resulted in the loss of six workers, highlighting the dangers associated with bridge maintenance and the impact of such incidents on the community.
• Despite the suspension of efforts, the initial response by dive teams and the use of advanced technology underscore the efforts to locate and recover the missing workers.
• The incident has prompted a community response and federal support, with President Biden committing to rebuilding the bridge and providing support to the affected community.

Two of the missing crew members were identified as Guatemalan nationals, and the families of these individuals have been notified. The other missing workers were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. The collapse resulted in several vehicles falling into the river, and multiple contractors were on the bridge repairing potholes at the time of the incident. Two people were rescued, with one being unharmed and the other in very serious condition.

The search and rescue operations have now shifted to recovery efforts, with the Coast Guard leading the mission. The recovery phase involves using sonar technology to help locate the crew and preparing to resume diving efforts under safer conditions.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has had significant impacts on the region, including the suspension of vessel traffic in the Port of Baltimore and the declaration of a state of emergency by Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The incident has also led to the mobilization of federal resources from the Biden administration to assist in the recovery and response efforts.

The bridge, which opened in 1977 and carried more than 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023, was last inspected in May 2023 and found to be in satisfactory condition. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the bridge and the infrastructure of the region, with potential long-term logistical challenges for the East Coast.