In the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, the DALI cargo ship sent a reassuring message: everybody on board was safe. Andy Middleton, the Apostleship of the Sea director, shares this heartening update.
Middleton, who spent time with the captain of the DALI, told CNN’s Laura Coates he reached out to confirm the crew’s well-being. He said 22 members aboard the ship from India were setting sail earlier Tuesday, March 26, morning and were heading toward Sri Lanka.
“I was able to reach out to a crew member very early this morning around 5:30 (a.m. ET) or 6 (a.m. ET) and get a message to them asking if they were OK,” Middleton said. He continued, “That crew member responded within just a few minutes, advising that the crew was safe and everybody on board was safe.”
However, Middleton spoke with the ship’s captain about their strategic route before the incident. Choosing caution, the captain said the ship will sail down and around the tip of South Africa to dodge risks along the Yemen coast.
ALSO READ: Tailor for US Presidents and Holocaust Survivor Martin Greenfield Dies at 95
What to Know About the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
Andy Middleton, spokesperson for the Apostleship of the Sea, represents compassion and care as he describes their ministry to seafarers. With a mission to maintain the dignity of those steering the seas, this ministry members extend a friendly hand to seafarers visiting the Port of Baltimore.
Unfortunately, amidst the backdrop of this mission, the bridge’s collapse brings sorrow. Six individuals believed to be part of the road construction crew are presumed dead after the catastrophic event on early Tuesday, March 26, morning.
The collapse occurred after a 984-foot cargo ship hit the bridge’s pillar. Maryland Governor Wes Moore aptly describes it as a “really heartbreaking conclusion to a challenging day.”
The Ship’s Crash and Victims
After the tragic bridge collapse, heartbreaking details emerge, painting another picture of the human toll. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala confirmed that two of the missing construction workers hailed from their nation.
ALSO READ: Kate Middleton Receives Emotional Message From 8-Year-Old Girl Who Met Her During Cancer Treatment
The toll stands rough as officials confirmed that eight individuals were on the bridge when it collapsed. However, amidst the chaos, at least two people were rescued. While one was taken to the hospital and was later discharged, the recovery journey of others remains uncertain.
Another video shows the moment the bridge collapses. Analysis reveals a sequence of events leading to the catastrophe: the ship’s lights flickered before it veered off course and hit the bridge.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the crew on the ship could issue a “mayday” before colliding with the bridge, which allowed the authorities to prevent incoming traffic from going onto the bridge.
Where the Baltimore Bridge Investigation Stands
A coordinated effort stands as dive teams from various state and local agencies converge to assist in search-and-rescue operations. Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. reveals the escalation of resources, with an initial 50 personnel increasing in numbers as the operation grows.
However, as the day progresses, the Coast Guard’s decision to suspend active search-and-rescue operations marks a solemn transition into a “different phase” of the crisis. Elsewhere, authorities are still trying to figure out how the crash happened.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the bridge’s construction and structure. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said it would “take time to dig through” whether the bridge had ever been flagged for safety deficiencies.
Road to the Bridge’s Recovery After Collapse
Attention now turns towards the daunting task of rebuilding the bridge. US Senator Chris Van Hollen noted that the path to rebuilding the bridge will be “long and expensive.” Meanwhile, Senior White House adviser Tom Perez told reporters Tuesday, “It’s too early” to tell how long it will take.
President Joe Biden said he wants the federal government to bear the full cost of rebuilding the collapsed bridge. He also noted that waiting for the owner of the container ship DALI to cover the costs is not an option. Funding could come from the Federal Highway Administration, but it may need additional funding from Congress.
You Might Also Like:
Deportation Debate: “90 Day Fiancé” Stars Divided Over Prince Harry’s Fate, No Special Treatment
Derek Hough Shares Heartwarming IG Snap With Hayley Erbert Amid Brain Surgery Recovery
Twilight Cast Strikes a ‘Fam-tastic’ Pose at Epic Cons Chicago
“I Survived,” Eric Decker Opens Up About Undergoing Vasectomy
