Washington, DC, March 31, 2024: The 20 Indian crew members aboard the ship that collided with a bridge in Baltimore, United States, are still onboard as authorities work to clear the debris and reopen the waterway. The incident occurred when the ship, named Dali and en route to Sri Lanka with 4,700 containers, lost power and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
According to the New York Times, the Indian crew members remain on the vessel, managing daily operations and assisting officials as the cleanup and investigation progress. They are expected to stay until the wreckage is cleared, ensuring the ship’s safety and functionality in the meantime.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that one crew member was briefly hospitalized in Baltimore for stitches but has since returned to the ship. The crew members have been commended for their quick response in sending SOS messages, which helped authorities mitigate the impact of the accident by halting traffic before the collision.
Chris James, an employee of a consulting firm assisting the ship’s management company Synergy Marine, stated that the crew has an adequate supply of food, water, and fuel to sustain operations while awaiting clearance. However, there is no definite timeline for the ship’s extraction from the wreckage.
Maryland Governor, in a recent statement, mentioned plans to remove the first debris piece, indicating progress in the cleanup efforts. Once the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Coast Guard complete their investigations, the crew may be relieved and repatriated.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that all crew members, except for the one who sustained minor injuries, are in good health. The crew’s role in alerting authorities and preventing further accidents has been widely appreciated, even as efforts continue to restore normalcy to one of the busiest ports in the United States.
Sources By Agencies
