Maryland officials confirmed Wednesday that two bodies were recovered from the wreckage of a Baltimore bridge that collapsed earlier this week.
Authorities began a search and rescue operation for six people known to be missing after a container ship collided with the structure and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday morning. However, by Tuesday evening, authorities announced that due to various circumstances, including water temperature and length of time, the missing person was presumed dead and recovery efforts would begin.
Maryland State Police Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. announced at a press conference Wednesday that two of the six missing people were found in the early morning hours. (Related: ‘The whole bridge fell down!’: Shocking dispatch audio released after Baltimore bridge collapse)
“The Maryland State Police and an underwater recovery team with assistance from state, local, and federal officials made the tragic discovery. Shortly before 10 a.m., divers were found near the mid-span of the bridge in approximately 25 feet of water. “Divers rescued the two victims of this tragedy who were trapped inside the vehicle,” Butler Jr. said.
Watch live updates on our coordinated response to the Key Bridge collapse: https://t.co/8TJ8UEfZqY
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) March 27, 2024
The victims were identified as Alejandro Hernández Fuente, 35, from Mexico, and Dorrian Lonial Castillo Cabrera, 26, from Guatemala, and authorities said their families had been notified of the discovery before the press conference. It was confirmed.
Mr Butler Jr. said that “based on the circumstances” authorities were moving from recovery mode to “salvage operations” because it was no longer possible for divers to safely “navigate or operate” around the likely remaining area. He continued to state that he would move to Four bodies were found.
“We conducted all search operations around this wreckage and based on sonar scans, we believe the vehicle was covered in superstructure and concrete and that we tragically witnessed it fall. “At this time as we move into salvage recovery operations, the Maryland State Police will continue to support unified command as the salvage assessment phase is conducted,” Butler Jr. said.
Officials noted that the six workers filling the hole in the bridge at the time of the incident were all from various countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.
Butler Jr. stressed that there is “no final timeline” for the operation, and it is unclear when additional missing persons will be found by authorities.
