While search and rescue efforts are still underway on what remains of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, President Biden pledges his support as the city handles this devastating situation.
During a press conference, President Biden offered versions of the Baltimore bridge collapse. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, when the Singapore-flagged freighter Dali crashed into the bridge. The impact caused the structure to almost completely collapse.
Dali’s staff alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of the vessel. All personnel on board the cargo ship have been accounted for and no injuries were reported among those on board.
“My intention is for the federal government to pay the full cost of rebuilding that bridge,” President Biden said. “I hope Congress will support my effort.”
The world leader further noted that the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge will take some time. “We won’t leave until this job is done.”
President Biden also stated that due to the warning from the ship’s personnel, local authorities were able to close the bridge before it was hit. “Which undoubtedly saved lives,” he added.
President Biden responds to bridge collapse on social media
President Biden also took to X (formerly Twitter) to reveal his plans to help Baltimore during this difficult time. “I have directed my administration to ensure that all federal resources are available to assist in search and rescue efforts,” he wrote. “And the response to this terrible incident.”
This morning, I convened senior members of my team for a briefing on the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
I have directed my Administration to ensure that all federal resources are available to assist in the search and rescue efforts and response to this terrible incident. pic.twitter.com/quqe7jogwm
– President Biden (@POTUS) March 26, 2024
Maryland Governor Wes Moore previously declared a state of emergency.
“We are working with an interagency team to rapidly deploy federal resources from the Biden Administration,” Moore explained. Along with the governor, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott declared a local state of emergency.
Freighter Dali was previously involved in the Antwerp collision before the Baltimore bridge collapse
Unfortunately, this is not the first incident involving the Dali freighter.
According to Vessel Finder, the ship was involved in a collision while in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016. That incident occurred as the freighter was leaving the Antwerp container terminal. At that time she was heading to Bremerhaven.
However, as the ship began to move, its bow turned, causing the stern to scrape the side of a dock. This caused significant damage to the hull.
Fortunately in that situation, there were no reports of injuries. No contamination was released either. The ship was detained in Antwerp after the incident. No details have been revealed about the causes of the accident.
The ship was built in South Korea in 2015 by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn