Port Entry in Baltimore Reopened After Bridge Collapse

Eleven weeks after the catastrophic collapse of the highway bridge in Baltimore caused by the container ship 'Dali,' the port entrance is once again fully navigable. Authorities announced on Monday that the channel has now regained its original operational dimensions of 210 meters in width and 15 meters in depth. Until now, commercial shipping traffic was only possible through a limited passage. The incident occurred at the end of March when the 'Dali' rammed a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which spans more than 2.5 kilometers, causing the four-lane highway bridge to collapse. Since then, an international team has been working tirelessly to recover debris from the water and remove the damaged ship. The tragic accident claimed six lives and resulted in significant economic losses, as one of the most important US seaports was temporarily out of operation. According to official reports, approximately 50,000 tons of debris have been removed from the Patapsco River in recent months. Over 1,500 emergency workers and about 500 specialists from around the world used barges, floating cranes, and excavators to expedite the cleanup efforts. Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized in a statement that this could only be achieved through collaboration. However, the final works will not be completed until the Francis Scott Key Bridge is fully restored. In the accident, six construction workers of Latin American origin, who were carrying out repairs on the bridge at the time, were killed. Initial findings indicate that a possible power failure rendered the ship unmanageable. The FBI has launched an investigation to clarify the exact circumstances.