US
Baltimore bridge salvage crews begin removing containers from cargo ship
The salvage operation of the Baltimore Bridge continues as crews have started removing containers from the deck of the Dali cargo ship.
Last month, the ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Video captured the moment the huge ship hit the bridge support, causing the entire thing to collapse.
Bodies of three of the six roadway workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed have been recovered, and the other three are presumed dead.
Salvage crews started to remove containers from the deck of the cargo ship on Sunday, with the hope of progressing towards removing parts of the bridge that lie across the ship’s bow.
In a statement Key Bridge Response Unified Command said: “Salvors removed containers from the M/V Dali as part of the effort to gain access to the portion of the Key Bridge that lies atop the ship. The transfer of containers from the M/V Dali will continue in the coming days, as weather permits.”
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The moment the bridge collapsed last month.
Workers dismantling parts of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge using an exothermic cutting torch. Pic: AP
This was described as a “critical step” in the salvage operation as it would allow the safe removal of the remains of the bridge – and eventual clearing of the waterway.
Since 26 March, only 32 vessels have been able to pass through temporary channels on either side of the wreckage, officials said.
US Coast Guard Captain David O’Connell said: “The Unified Command is concurrently progressing on its main lines of effort to remove enough debris to open the channel to larger commercial traffic.”
Part of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge stand. Pic: AP
The wreckage of the bridge has been stuck across the ship in the weeks since the incident. Pic: AP
The ship has remained trapped under the steel remains of the bridge along the Patapsco River since the incident.
More than 50 divers and 12 cranes are working on site to help cut out sections of the collapsed bridge and remove them.
Eight workers, who were immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, were filling potholes on the bridge when it was hit in the middle of the night.
Two men were rescued and the bodies of three others were recovered in the following days.
The search for the other victims continues.
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The salvage operation has begun as authorities began clearing containers from the ship. Pic: AP
Pic: AP
Officials have established a temporary channel for vessels involved in clearing debris.
The White House said the intention is to open a limited-access channel for barge container ships, and some vessels moving cars and farm equipment by the end of April.
It is hoped that normal capacity will be restored to Baltimore’s port by the end of May.
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President Biden recently toured the area, and saw first-hand efforts to clear away the remains of the bridge.
Mr Biden also greeted police officers who helped block traffic to the bridge in the moments before it was hit by the ship, and spoke to families of the victims.
He also vowed that the state of Maryland wouldn’t be left alone, saying: “I’m here to say your nation has your back and I mean it. Your nation has your back.”