In a devastating event on Tuesday, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel experienced a critical power failure, crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, United States. The impact of the collision caused the ship to plunge into the Patapsco River, leading to a frantic search and rescue operation as eight construction workers were reported missing.
Efforts by US officials and rescue teams resulted in the successful recovery of two workers, but tragically, the remaining six were presumed dead. Consequently, the search operation was suspended on Wednesday morning. President Joe Biden and other officials praised the valiant efforts of those involved in the rescue mission.
However, amidst the tragedy, the heroism of the Indian crew members aboard the ship ‘Dali’ emerged as a beacon of hope. The Maryland Department of Transportation revealed that the crew’s timely mayday alert played a crucial role in preventing further catastrophe. Their swift action enabled authorities to close the bridge to traffic, averting potential loss of life.
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President Biden described the incident as a “terrible accident” and acknowledged the crew’s notification to the transportation department before the ship lost control. He emphasized that their alert undoubtedly saved countless lives.
Following the Indian crew’s distress signal, a dispatcher issued a warning over the radio, notifying of the cargo ship’s loss of steering capabilities and its trajectory towards the bridge. Within approximately 90 seconds, police officers successfully halted automobile traffic on the bridge.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore: “These people (the Indian ship crew) are heroes. They saved lives.”pic.twitter.com/FtjuTlKW3R
— News and Views (@NewsandViewss) March 27, 2024
Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed gratitude towards the crew for their heroic actions, crediting their mayday call for alerting workers and preventing vehicular traffic from entering the bridge. He hailed them as true heroes who saved lives amidst adversity.
The commendation extended beyond government officials, as netizens on social media, including X (formerly Twitter), praised the quick thinking and bravery of the Indian crew. Synergy Marine Group, the vessel management company, confirmed the safety of all crew members.
The six workers presumed dead in the tragedy hailed from Latin American countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. Their loss serves as a stark reminder of the human toll of such catastrophic events.
As investigations continue into the cause of the accident, the heroic actions of the Indian crew stand as a testament to the importance of swift and decisive responses in mitigating disaster. Their courage and selflessness have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of those affected by the Baltimore bridge collapse.
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