In a recent probe conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it was established that the cargo ship that caused the Baltimore Bridge collapse contained hazardous materials and had prior equipment issues.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy disclosed that the cargo ship was carrying a staggering 56 containers filled with hazardous materials. ‘We found 56 containers aboard containing hazardous materials, including corrosives, flammables, and lithium-ion batteries’ said Homendy.
During the collision some of these containers were breached, leading to leaks into the Patapsco River.
An inspection conducted prior to departure disclosed a concerning flaw in the ship’s equipment.
The vessel had a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure, which had been addressed before setting sail.
‘As far as the engine goes, we were not informed of any problems with the vessel’, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said during a news conference.
The bridge collapse caused the deaths of two people, whose remains were discovered submerged in a pickup truck near the bridge’s middle span.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore offered his sympathies to the victims’ families and expressed solidarity during this terrible time.
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