Authorities in Maryland have confirmed a devastating turn of events following a cargo ship collision at the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Divers recovered two bodies from a red pickup truck submerged under approximately 25 feet of water in the middle span of the bridge. The victims have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk. Families of the deceased have been notified by Maryland State Police.
Superintendent Col. Roland Butler stated that due to the challenging conditions, the operation has shifted from recovery to salvage. The search for four other missing construction workers, presumed dead, has been hampered by the surrounding superstructure and debris. The victims hailed from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Despite exhaustive search efforts, sonar scans indicate that the remaining vehicles with victims are likely trapped within the collapsed bridge's superstructures. A co-worker of the missing individuals reported that they were on break inside their parked trucks when the bridge collapsed.
U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath revealed that the ship involved in the collision was slated for maintenance, with no prior indication of issues. The incident occurred when the ship struck a support pillar, leading to the collapse of the bridge.
This tragic event has deeply impacted the local community and serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by workers in hazardous environments. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
