Baltimore Key Bridge latest: Investigators retrieve container ship's data recorder - BBC News
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Closing Baltimore Port May Cost $15m/day
Greetings from Washington DC I have arrived in Washington DC to report on the latest political news and updates. As the nation's capital, this city is a hub of activity and discussions that shape our country's future. From the White House to Capitol Hill, I'll be covering all the latest developments impacting our government and society. As the world watches with bated breath, the stakes are high in this dynamic and powerful city. With so much happening behind closed doors and in public view, it's more important than ever to have an accurate and insightful perspective on what's happening in DC. So stay tuned for my upcoming reports and analyses. I'll be keeping a close eye on all the political movers and shakers to bring you the latest updates that you won't want to miss. Thanks for joining me on this journey.
According to specialists, if the Key Bridge collapses, the shutting down of the Baltimore port might lead to a loss of $15 million daily until the passage is made available again.
Despite not being the largest in the United States, the port manages to process millions of tons of freight annually. This encompasses the transportation of vehicles and the exportation of coal.
The broken bridge that crosses the port is also a part of a big road - Interstate 695 - that links the north-eastern states of America. This bridge can't be used anymore by about 30,000 Maryland residents who pass through it every day.
The extent of the implications is quite extensive, according to economist Anirban Basu, who is the founder and CEO of the Baltimore-based Sage Policy Group. Moreover, all of these implications have an adverse impact.
Transportation authorities have yet to give a timeline for when vessels can resume using the port.
What's Happened: A Timeline
24+ Hours Since Crash, Search Efforts Undeterred. See Photos
It's been over 30 hours since the Dali collided with Baltimore's Key Bridge, resulting in its collapse. Despite this, rescue teams are still working hard to locate the six individuals who remain unaccounted for amidst the debris.
Check out these fresh photos:
Recovery Efforts Continue For Presumed Dead Workers
Last night, we were present outside the Maryland Transportation Authority where the authorities called in family members of several construction workers who were reported missing.
As it was anticipated, the family members were really worried as they were brought into the edifice for a briefing with representatives of the organization. They were advised not to converse with the press during this time.
Soon after, the coastguard declared that they were stopping the search and rescue mission because the water was too cold and too much time had gone by. They stated, "We don't think we will be able to locate any of these people alive".
Today, the temperature was extremely low near the river due to a strong and icy wind. Divers were working on retrieving items from early morning.
Honduran Citizen Identified As Second Victim
We are gradually gaining knowledge about the individuals' identities who are believed to be gone and not found.
It has come to light that a person by the name of Maynor Suazo Sandoval, who is originally from Honduras, was one of the individuals involved.
His brother confirmed to NBC News that he had passed away. He mentioned that their family was made aware of his disappearance shortly after the bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning.
According to Suazo's brother, they are hopeful to have a chance to lay their eyes on the body. Their main objective is to locate him in order to confirm his wellbeing, because currently, they are completely unaware of any information regarding his status.
According to an article in El Heraldo, a newspaper in Honduras, Maynor hailed from the western region of Santa Barbara.
Another person who has been recognized as a victim is Miguel Luna, originally from El Salvador.
Officials from the consulates of Guatemala and Mexico have verified that six of their native inhabitants are not present, but have not yet given any particulars.
Closed Port Will Impact Shipping, Warns Analyst
Emily Stausboll, who works as a market analyst for Xeneta - a company that provides insights and analysis to the shipping industry, recently shared her thoughts on the Port of Baltimore with the BBC. She discussed the importance of the port, which was recently in the news due to a bridge collapse.
According to her, it is a significant center for the United States. However, there are more substantial ports in New York and Virginia that can manage the additional loads of containers redirected.
According to her, the individuals who will face the biggest challenge are those whose containers were on the ship that collided with the bridge or those that were already at the port. This situation will have an impact on the transportation services that come after.
She mentions that it will require a certain period for the port to resume its activities. However, considering the increase in container traffic from the previous year, there will be ample ships available to accommodate extended travel times and distances.
Did Contaminated Fuel Impact The Damaged Ship?
Officials responsible for safety got on the ship and took the data recorder, which will be analyzed.
The individuals stated that they would investigate if the fuel that they referred to as unclean had any involvement in causing the ship to lose power.
According to specialists in marine transportation, the use of fuel that is tainted can lead to the interruption of a ship's power supply as it hinders the proper functioning of the main power generators on board.
Additional information has been surfacing regarding the six laborers involved in the bridge disaster, who are now believed to have perished after falling into the water.
One of my coworkers mentioned that they hailed from nations situated in Central America. They were occupied with mending potholes on the bridge at the time it was hit.
A person known as Miguel Luna from El Salvador has been identified in the local area. A group that advocates for workers' rights described him as a man with a wife and three children who had made his home in the state of Maryland for two decades.
So Far: Victim Identified, Data Obtained
The second day of efforts to recover from a ship's collision with the Key Bridge in Baltimore began today. Let's take a look at the progress made so far:
Ports & Cargo Owners Coordinating Ship Diversions: Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Secretary of the United States, has stated that the department he oversees is not playing any part in the ongoing investigation.
The NTSB is meant to work on its own when carrying out investigations. Their task is to examine the entire situation to determine exactly what occurred.
He mentioned that the individuals involved are performing commendable efforts and he remains in communication with the leader of NTSB.
Buttigieg spoke with CBS news and mentioned that Baltimore isn't the sole port located on the East Coast, however, it possesses exclusive capabilities.
At the moment, individuals involved in ocean shipping, various ports, and entities with cargo are collaborating to determine alternative routes for the vessels that were originally directed to that location," he states.
'Baltimore Sun Features "Key Bridge Falls" On Front Page'
The Baltimore Sun holds the copyright for this blog section.
The Key Bridge collapse has taken center stage in the news coverage of the Baltimore Sun, which happens to be the biggest newspaper in Maryland.
The newspaper announces the incident at Key Bridge Falls. The employer of the six contractors who were present on the bridge at the time of the incident refers to it as an unforeseen tragedy and expresses deep regret.
Washington Post: 'Entire Bridge Collapses Today'
Take a peek at a few front pages of American newspapers today.
The news article from The Washington Post highlights a statement uttered by an emergency responder immediately after the bridge collapsed. The emergency worker yelled, "The complete bridge has crumbled to the ground."
Experts confirm that the collapse of the span was inevitable due to the massive impact of the Dali container ship against one of the supercolumns. The weight and force of the ship caused the span to collapse.
According to an expert, the destruction of the column will result in the collapse of the structure.
The blog post belongs to The Washington Post and is protected by copyright law.
'Supporting Families And Workers Is Crucial'
Later on, Moore addresses the matter of the missing employees' families: "It is essential that we provide families and workers with adequate support, and that emergency funds are made accessible."
I feel that it's crucial to provide aid to these workers during these difficult times.
He mentions that the port was accountable for creating over 140,000 employments.
It's important that our economy starts functioning properly once more.
Moore Vows Accountability Advocate
Someone asked Moore if there is a possibility of criminal charges related to the incident.
According to him, it's premature to eliminate any possibilities at this stage of the inquiry.
He mentions that the authorities will pursue any lead from the investigation. Furthermore, the investigation is in its early stages and there is a lot of work to do in terms of figuring things out.
He emphasizes that they will ensure that there is genuine responsibility regarding the matter.
Maryland Governor Prioritizes Victim Recovery
According to Moore, the officials have highlighted that the most important task at hand is to find the six missing victims.
He stated that the families must be provided with closure, and highlighted the considerable allocation of air, land, and water resources towards locating the victims.
I make a commitment to them that I will put in every possible effort to ensure that they achieve closure.
Moore's Response 'overwhelming'
To commence, Wes Moore expresses that he has been "extremely moved" by the reaction to the situation.
According to him, governors from different political affiliations throughout the nation, together with charitable individuals and ordinary citizens, have been making contact to extend their aid.
He expresses his gratitude for the affection that has been shown from all over the nation.
Wes Moore Responds To Media Queries
The present speaker is Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland. He is presently engaged in answering questions from various media outlets regarding the efforts to retrieve the wreckage from the bridge collapse incident in Baltimore.
Tune in to the live broadcast by selecting the Play button located at the upper portion of this webpage and stick around as we provide you with written news reports.
"Moore Predicts Impact On Entire US Economy"
During his interview with CBS, Wes Moore stated that the bridge collapse will have a wide-ranging impact on the economy.
He says that the adverse effect of this will be felt by the farmers in Kentucky, the car dealers in Michigan, and it will have a widespread impact on the economy of the nation.
Personally speaking, he mentions that the bridge "has existed for a duration that surpasses my lifespan."
We were familiar with that landscape, it was the image we associated with our city. However, it no longer exists.
Governor Mourns Families Of Maryland Shooting Victims
We are currently anticipating whether a press conference will take place, but while we wait for updates, the governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, has had a discussion with CBS News.
During a live interview, Moore affirms that the officials are on the lookout for six individuals who are unaccounted for. It is believed that all of them were contractors working on the bridge when the incident occurred.
He shares his condolences with the families of the victims, who were informed of the most devastating news they could possibly hear, just yesterday.
He expresses deep sadness for them.
Moore states: "These men were dads, brothers, and spouses, and they were also important breadwinners for their loved ones."
Press Conference Might Be Postponed
We've recently learned that the scheduled media briefing involving Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, might face a delay.
Like many emotional accounts, we are currently anticipating the most recent news. However, stick with us and we will provide you with live updates in the event that it starts.
Governor Of Maryland: Upcoming Press Conference
At 12:00 GMT (08:00 ET), the media will receive the most recent news about the progress being made to get back on track at the location of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, as provided by Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
To view the press conference live, simply click on the Play button located at the upper part of this webpage. Plus, we will provide you with written updates in this section.
