Salvage crews in Baltimore plan to detonate explosives to rescue the cargo ship Dali from the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, reports say.
Joint Command Chief Petty Officer Ronald Hodges said the explosion would separate a huge chunk of the bridge truss that currently lies on the ship’s arm. he told WBAL-TV.
Authorities determined that Dali’s crew, who have been living on board since the shipwreck, remained safely on board and did not need to be evacuated during the explosion.
Hodges could not say exactly where on the ship the crew would be crouched.
“What they’re doing is best practice, historical best practice, and a way to remove a lot of steel,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday.
“We know that as soon as that surgery and precision cutting is complete, we will also have the tools to get that steel out of the water, safely refloat Dali, and reopen federal waterways.” ”
Officials told WBAL-TV that it will take several days to place the precision explosives on the truss. Weather and tides can also affect timing.
Hodges said the media would be notified 48 hours before the explosion.
Joint Command has been using giant hydraulic claws and precision cutting tools to remove as much debris as possible.
The Dali crashed into one of the 50-year-old bridge’s main supports around 1:30 a.m. on March 30, killing six construction workers and cutting off vital shipping traffic to the Port of Baltimore. .
The body of the sixth victim was finally recovered on Tuesday. Officials announced.
The body of Jose Mainor Lopez, 37, of Baltimore, was discovered by a Unified Forces rescue team, which contacted Maryland State Police and the FBI.
“With heavy hearts, today marks an important milestone in our recovery efforts and in bringing closure to the loved ones of the six employees who lost their lives in this tragic event,” Maryland said. said Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., state director. of the state police.
“We mourn with the families of José Maynor López, Alejandro Hernández Fuentes, Dorrian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Mayor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernández Estrela, and Miguel.・We would like to express our condolences to Angel Luna González.”
Baltimore officials announced last week that they have set a May 10 date for removing the trusses, refloating the Dali and opening the 45-foot-deep waterway to vessel traffic.
The permanent waterway, 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep, will be open by the end of May, officials added.
