Baltimore bridge crash search suspended due to frigid water temps as 6 construction workers feared dead

By Ishita Verma
Published on : 23:44 PST, Mar 26, 2024

Coast Guard suspends search and rescue of workers following Baltimore bridge collapse (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: According to People Magazine, the search and rescue operations at the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse site in Baltimore, Maryland, have been halted Tuesday evening.

Currently, the six construction workers who fell into the river are presumed dead by the authorities, after one body was recovered.

In a recent update on the incident, Maryland Governor Wes Moore shared during a press conference on Tuesday that the cargo ship involved in the bridge crash had managed to save several lives before the collision. Crew members sounded a mayday call, prompting swift action.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard patrol near the cargo ship Dali as it sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. According to reports, rescuers are still searching for multiple people, while two survivors have been pulled from the Patapsco River. A work crew was fixing potholes on the bridge, which is used by roughly 30,000 people each day, when the ship struck at around 1:30am on Tuesday morning. The accident has temporarily closed the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest and busiest on the East Coast of the U.S. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) — Members of the U.S. Coast Guard patrol near the cargo ship Dali as it sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Baltimore bridge search suspended as 6 workers presumed dead

According to the Daily Mail, the Coast Guard has decided to end its active search and rescue mission for the workers who fell from the bridge. Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath explained that due to the considerable time passed since the collapse and the freezing water temperatures, it's unlikely anyone could have survived.

In a press conference with WBAL-TV, Gilreath stated, "I'd like to announce tonight that based on the length of time that we've gone on this search, the extensive search efforts that we've put into it, the water temperature, at this point we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive."

He continued, "So this evening, at about 7:30, we are going to suspend the search and rescue efforts. The Coast Guard is not going away. None of our partners are going away, but we're just going to transition to a different phase."

As reported by the Daily Mail, Col. Roland L. Butler of the Maryland State Police emphasized, "At this point, we do not know where they are, but we intend to give it our best effort to help these families find closure."

Butler added, "At this point like the admiral said, we're going away from the search and rescue portion to a recovery operation. The changing conditions out there have made it dangerous for the first responders, the divers in the water. At 0600 hours tomorrow, we are hoping to put divers in the water and begin a more detailed search to recover those six missing people."

In an aerial view, the cargo ship Dali sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. According to reports, rescuers are still searching for multiple people, while two survivors have been pulled from the Patapsco River. A work crew was fixing potholes on the bridge, which is used by roughly 30,000 people each day, when the ship struck at around 1:30am on Tuesday morning. The accident has temporarily closed the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest and busiest on the East Coast of the U.S. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) — In an aerial view, the cargo ship Dali sits in the water after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Earlier on Tuesday, another body was discovered during the search. No further details have been provided about the individual, and their identity has not been disclosed by the police, as per the Daily Mail.

According to the Baltimore fire chief, two other people were rescued from the freezing Patapsco River after the bridge collapsed. One was in critical condition and taken to a trauma center, while the other escaped unharmed, as mentioned by the Daily Mail.

Internet users assert workers missing is 'heartbreaking'

A Facebook user wrote, "So heartbreaking 😢 Sending prayers to all the families who lost their loved ones 🙏"

Another user wrote, "So devastating. Prayers for the families of those who lost their lives😥🙏🏻"

A user commented, "Prayers goes out to Baltimore, and condolences to all the families for their loss. 🙏🏾💔"

Another user commented, "I watched the video and my heart just sank, praying for the missing and their families and this community. So tragic 😞"

A user stated, "Absolutely heartbreaking.💔🥲.Bring these men & all those involved home to their families. Allow the families to get some type of closure! My heart hurts for their family 🙏"

Another user stated, "Prayers to the families as well as the rescue crew tomorrow morning. It’s not going to be easy 😢"

One user wrote, "6 people lost their lives it could’ve been a lot worse. My sincere condolences go out to all the families who lost their loved ones today."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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