Crews set off explosives on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, allowing the mangled steel trusses to come crashing down into the river. The operation marked a major step in freeing the Dali container ship, which has been stuck among the wreckage since its collapse on March 26, killing six construction workers and halting maritime traffic through the port. The controlled demolition will restore traffic through the port, providing relief for workers and small business owners impacted by the closure.
Officials confirmed that the detonation went as planned and are assessing the remaining trusses on the Dali’s bow to ensure the ship can be refloated. They expect to refloat the ship within the next few days and guide it to a nearby terminal for temporary repairs before moving it to a shipyard for more substantial repairs. However, no more explosives are anticipated to be used in the operation, which has been compared to peeling back an onion by Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Dali’s crew remained on board the ship during the detonation, with no reported injuries or problems. The crew members have not been allowed to leave the grounded vessel and have been assisting investigators after the disaster. The ship, which had been chartered for a trip to Sri Lanka, sent a mayday call before crashing into the bridge, leading to investigations into the ship’s electrical system by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI.
As the operation progresses, state and federal officials have commended the salvage crews for their recovery efforts, which allowed the last body of the construction workers to be recovered from underwater wreckage. Despite the tragedy, officials remain focused on reopening the port’s 50-foot deep draft channel by the end of May. In the meantime, a temporary channel has been established to allow some vessels to pass through the port. Rep. Nancy Pelosi praised the resilient response to the disaster, likening it to the historic events that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Baltimore native, compared the Key Bridge disaster to the War of 1812’s bombardment of Fort McHenry, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. Pelosi praised the response to the tragedy and highlighted the collaboration of various government agencies in the cleanup operation. She commended Maryland’s resilience and compared the aftermath of the disaster to the enduring spirit represented in “The Star-Spangled Banner.” As the cleanup operation continues, officials are focused on reopening the port’s deep draft channel and ensuring the safety of all involved in the process.
