Biden bridge rebuild pledge
PRESIDENT Joe Biden said he plans for the federal government to pick up the entire cost of reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after a container ship lost power and struck it.
“We’re going to rebuild that port together,” Biden said in brief remarks from the White House, shortly before departing for North Carolina.
The president said he expects lawmakers on Capitol Hill to support his bid to ensure the U.S. government pays for rebuilding the bridge.
“This is going to take some time,” Biden said.
“The people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.”
Biden repeated earlier statements from officials that all current indications were that the collapse was an accident.
“At this time, we have no other indication, no other reason to
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Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, standard call charges apply. Offer ends on 08/04/2024. believe there’s any intentional act here,” he said.
The operators of the ship issued a mayday call moments before the crash, enabling authorities to limit vehicle traffic on the span, Maryland’s governor said.
The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to break apart like a toy.
Two people were rescued from the water, and officials said six people were still unaccounted for.
All were believed to be working on the bridge when it collapsed.
It tumbled into the water in a matter of seconds – a shocking spectacle that was captured on video and posted on social media.
The crash happened long before the morning commute in what one official called a “developing mass casualty event”.
Brandon Scott, mayor of Baltimore, said: “Never would you think that you would physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie.”
Authorities said a crew was working on the bridge at the time of the collapse and that sonar had detected cars in the water, which is about 50ft (15m) deep.
The temperature in the water was about 47F (8C).
Earlier, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
The bridge came down in the middle of night when traffic would be lighter than during the day, said Mr Cartwright, who called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event”.
Synergy Marine Group – which manages the ship, called the Dali confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1.30am while it was in control of two pilots, who are local specialists who help navigate vessels safely into ports.