Officials have announced that the crew of the Dali, the container ship grounded after a bridge collapse in Baltimore, will stay on board while demolition crews use explosives to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge. The steel span landed on the ship's bow after the Dali lost power and crashed into one of the bridge's support columns on March 26, leaving the port closed to most maritime traffic.
The controlled demolition, scheduled to take place in the coming days, aims to allow the Dali to be refloated and guided back into the Port of Baltimore, facilitating the return to normal maritime traffic. This development will bring relief to thousands of longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners affected by the port closure.
Engineers have been diligently working to determine the best approach to remove the final major piece of the fallen bridge. The explosives will be used to bring down the span into the water, after which a massive hydraulic grabber will lift the resulting steel sections onto barges. Video footage released by Coast Guard officials revealed entire sections of roadway on the ship's deck.
The safety of the Dali's 21-member crew is a top priority during the demolition process. The crew, consisting of 20 individuals from India and one from Sri Lanka, will remain on board the ship for their safety. They have been assisting investigators and maintaining the ship since the incident, unable to leave the vessel.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI are conducting investigations into the bridge collapse, focusing on the ship's electrical system and potential power issues before departure. The tragic incident claimed the lives of six construction workers, with five bodies recovered and one still missing. All victims were Latino immigrants working an overnight shift on the bridge.
Maryland officials have announced plans to rebuild the bridge by fall 2028, aiming to restore normalcy and safety to the affected area.
