The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that a Singapore-flagged cargo ship named Dali struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in its collapse. The vessel was carrying a total of 4700 containers, out of which 56 were identified to contain hazardous materials. Additionally, two containers are missing overboard, but the Coast Guard assured that those in the water do not pose a threat as they do not contain hazardous materials.
A specialized hazmat team was dispatched to the ship to inspect the cargo and assess the situation. Vice Admiral Peter Gautier emphasized that the majority of the hazardous containers were located closer to the pilot house and were unaffected by the damage to the ship's bow. There has been no evidence of any release of hazardous materials at this time.
Gautier highlighted the importance of removing the debris from the bridge that remains on the bow of the ship. The weight of this debris has caused the vessel's bow to rest on the riverbed. Coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors will be crucial in safely removing the debris before the ship can be extracted from the water.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned that the Coast Guard, in collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers, will lead the cleanup efforts in the Patapsco River to ensure that the Port of Baltimore can resume full operation. The focus will be on restoring the waterway to its normal state following the incident involving the cargo ship and the bridge collapse.
