Divers found the bodies of two workers in Baltimore Harbor after a cargo ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing it to collapse into the water. The ship lost power, leading to the collision.
Maryland State Police Colonel Roland Butler said the bodies were discovered inside a submerged red pickup truck near the middle of the bridge.
Recovery efforts were halted due to dangerous conditions caused by debris in the river. Sonar images showed more vehicles stuck in the wreckage, complicating the search for bodies.
The workers who died, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, were part of a team fixing potholes on the bridge. Four other workers, from Honduras and El Salvador, are missing and presumed dead.
The closure of the port due to the bridge collapse disrupted shipping operations greatly. Federal investigators boarded the cargo ship to question the crew and collect important evidence, including the ship’s data recorder.
Divers retrieve bodies of two workers (Via Tim West/Getty Images)
Radio recordings from before the accident revealed the chaotic moments leading up to the collapse, showing how authorities tried to prevent further tragedy.
The collision raised concerns about the ship’s safety record and potential environmental risks. Although the ship carried hazardous materials, authorities assured people there was no immediate danger.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began a thorough investigation, looking into issues such as contaminated fuel and the ship’s history of operations.
The U.S. Coast Guard focused on reopening the port and stabilizing the cargo ship. Despite the port’s closure, experts said a major disruption to the supply chain was unlikely, as there are other shipping hubs along the East Coast.
