US NewsMigrants missing after bridge collapse

Migrants missing after bridge collapse

In a tragic incident that underscores the vulnerabilities of migrant workers and the potential dangers of maritime and construction work, three Mexican nationals were caught in a catastrophic event when Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a collision with the cargo ship Dali on Tuesday.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MARCH 27: Workers continue to investigate and search for victims after the cargo ship Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse yesterday, on March 27, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Two survivors were pulled from the Patapsco River and six missing people are presumed dead after the Coast Guard called off rescue efforts. 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 Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Images source: © GETTY | Scott Olson

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1:07 PM EDT, March 27, 2024

Mexicans were on the bridge

Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador confirmed on Wednesday that among those affected by the collapse, one Mexican national was rescued and is currently receiving medical treatment, described as "injured" but "safe." However, the fate of two other compatriots remains uncertain as they are still missing, prompting a response from the Mexican administration to maintain close communication with the affected families, offering them assistance through diplomatic channels. President López Obrador emphasized the hardships and risks migrant workers endure, especially those employed in nocturnal and hazardous jobs, criticizing the insensitive treatment they often receive from certain political figures in the U.S.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy also involves other missing individuals, including what President López Obrador believes to be brothers from Central America, highlighting the incident's broad impact on the immigrant community.

The aftermath of the bridge collapse extends beyond the immediate search and rescue operations. More than a day after the incident, the search for six missing individuals, presumed dead, faces challenges from cold water temperatures and difficult weather conditions, hampering divers' efforts to locate them.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the collision, with a team boarding the Dali late Tuesday to collect crucial evidence, including the ship's data recorder. The reopening of the shipping channel into the Port of Baltimore remains uncertain, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasizing the importance of restoring access while acknowledging there's no set timeline for recovery.

US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned of a "long road to recovery" for the city and port, highlighting potential supply chain disruptions resulting from the incident. The US Coast Guard is assessing the hazard posed by damaged shipping containers from the Dali, some of which contain potentially hazardous materials.

The search for the missing was halted overnight due to unsafe conditions, including instability in the bridge's remains and precarious positioning of shipping containers on the cargo ship.

Details about the identities of the missing individuals, including construction workers present on the bridge at the time of its collapse, are slowly emerging. A crucial piece of the puzzle was revealed by Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots Association, who reported a "total blackout" of engine and electrical power on the Dali just minutes before the crash.