On Tuesday, March 26, the Baltimore Bridge collapsed and claimed the lives of six individuals who were repairing potholes. Authorities have discovered four of the six bodies, leaving the families in grief. More recently, authorities announced that they recovered the body of a fifth victim from the bridge.
The Unified Command, which includes the police, the Coast Guard, and other agencies, identified the victim as Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez from Glen Burnie, Maryland. The collapse happened when a 213-million-pound cargo vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, severely damaging the structure.
And, of course, it resulted in the deaths of the individuals mentioned above. The bridge was a crucial route for approximately 30,000 Maryland residents daily.
Who Died When the Baltimore Bridge Collapsed?
The deceased workers were immigrants from EI Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. With this recent discovery, one victim’s body remains unaccounted for. CNN previously reported that Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49, was a husband and father of three.
ALSO READ: Baltimore Key Bridge Crumbles: Ship Collision Leads to Devastating Collapse
Moreover, he was from EI Salvador and had lived in Maryland for over 19 years, according to the nonprofit CASA, which supports working-class and immigrant families. Colonel Roland L. Butter, Jr., Superintendent of Maryland’s State Police, stated that Unified Command salvage teams located one of the missing construction vehicles.
Following this, they notified the Maryland Department of State Police. Then, the police, along with officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and the FBI, responded to the scene. Immediately, they recovered the body of the fifth victim inside a red truck.
Butler emphasized his team’s commitment to the recovery operation, acknowledging that each victim leaves behind a grieving family. Investigations have been ongoing since mid-April to determine the cause of the tragic incident.
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Actions Following Baltimore Bridge Collapse
According to a US official, the US Coast Guard and FBI are spearheading a criminal investigation into the collision. Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine PTE LTD, the manager, have filed a petition in federal court to cap potential liability payouts at $43.6 million.
ALSO READ: Three Found, Three Presumed Dead as Baltimore Bridge Collapses
However, the city of Baltimore and attorneys for several victims also demand accountability. The city has declared its intent to pursue legal action against those responsible. Moreover, it announced support programs for the victims’ families, businesses, and workers affected by the disaster.
Attorneys representing the families of two deceased workers and a survivor have begun their investigation. After 55 days in the Patapsco River, the Dali cargo ship was finally recovered from the crash site with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It seems the busy Port of Baltimore will soon reopen.
Ship Removal Paves the Way for Port of Baltimore Reopening
According to a recent news release from the Unified Command, the ship’s removal now permits all pre-collapse deep-draft commercial vessels to enter and exit the Port of Baltimore. The news release further stated that the temporary federal channel will soon be 400 feet wide and 50 feet deep.
Officials aim to open the permanent 700-foot-wide by 50-foot-deep federal navigation channel by the end of this month. This will allow commercial vessels to transit in and out of the Port of Baltimore, truly marking the next chapter in restoring waterway commerce in Baltimore.
Moreover, it also serves as the economic engine for several workers and their families who rely heavily on commerce traveling through the Port of Baltimore.
Dali Ship Successfully Relocated as Recovery Efforts Continue
Officials reported that many tugboats began moving the 106,000-ton vessel recently. The ship traveled about one mph to the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore. By late Monday, April 29, the Dali was docked at the terminal—the same spot from which it had departed on its ill-fated voyage nearly eight weeks prior.
Officials stated that the ship will undergo temporary fixes at the terminal before more permanent repairs are made. Meanwhile, crews will continue to clear any remaining bridge wreckage from the crash site to reopen fully.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on X that work “isn’t done.” The state will continue to clear the 700-foot federal channel, support businesses, workers, and families affected by the collapse, and rebuild the Key Bridge.
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