President Joe Biden took an aerial tour on Friday of the collapsed Baltimore bridge and pledged federal help in rebuilding the span. He also&nbsp;vowed to help those who have lost their families in the&nbsp;accident.

A a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people. The work to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Mid-Atlantic state's shipping channel is still ongoing.

Aboard his Marine One helicopter, Biden flew over the scene of the disaster to get an aerial view. He met local officials for a briefing on the economic impact to the Baltimore port, an important shipping destination for ships to offload automobiles.

Biden during his address said, "We will not rest until the bridge is rebuilt and the area is back to normal.” US President further called on Congress to approve funding for the new bridge as soon as possible.

"I'm here to say your nation has your back and I mean it. We're going to get this paid for." And those responsible for bridge collapse will help pay to repair the damage and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow," he&nbsp;further stated.

Biden later met the families of the six people killed in the accident.&nbsp;

<h2>Effort towards opening the main channel</h2>

Unified Command, a coalition of federal and state agencies overseeing the response to the bridge collapse, in a statement said that the Captain of the Port (COTP) was "preparing to establish a temporary alternate channel on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels."

"This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the port of Baltimore," said Captain David O'Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024.&nbsp;

"By opening this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore," he further said..

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baltimore-bridge-collapse-two-bodies-recovered-retrieval-efforts-suspended-due-to-treacherous-waters-704988">Baltimore bridge collapse: Two bodies recovered; retrieval efforts suspended due to treacherous waters</a>

The temporary route will be marked with navigational aids and have "a controlling depth of 11 feet (3.35 metres), a 264 foot (80.4&nbsp;metres)&nbsp;horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance 96 feet (29.26 metres)," added the statement.

However, the statement did not specify which vessels will be permitted to use the alternate channel or provide a timeline for its opening.

Aside from the upcoming temporary channel, an existing safety zone around the collapsed site remains in effect. This, as per the statement, is "intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment."

Vessels and people are required to obtain permission from the COTP or a designated representative to enter the safety zone.

As per media reports, a "remarkably complex operation" to clear the debris has begun at the incident site.

The Port of Baltimore is a vital hub for trade to the US economy. In 2023, $80.8 billion worth of foreign cargo moved through it.

<h2>How did the ship ram into the bridge?</h2>

As per Reuters that cited officials,&nbsp;there is no evidence of foul play. The massive cargo ship was crippled by power loss when it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the mouth of the Patapsco River at about 1:30 am (0530 GMT).

Dali, the Singapore-flagged container vessel, was heading out of the harbour bound for Sri Lanka.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baltimore-bridge-collapse-six-workers-presumed-dead-biden-says-federal-govt-will-fund-rebuild-704620">Baltimore bridge collapse: Six missing workers presumed dead</a>

A timely Mayday call from the crew&nbsp;of the ship led officials to&nbsp;stop traffic on the bridge before the collapse. However,&nbsp;six workers&nbsp;were present&nbsp;on the bridge when the incident happened and were reported missing.&nbsp;Bodies of two of them have&nbsp;been recovered while the rest are presumed dead.

"By being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge, these people are heroes. They saved lives last night," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore at a news briefing.

Moore assured people that the bridge was up to code and there were no known structural issues.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

President Joe Biden took an aerial tour on Friday of the collapsed Baltimore bridge and pledged federal help in rebuilding the span. He also vowed to help those who have lost their families in the accident.

President Joe Biden took an aerial tour on Friday of the collapsed Baltimore bridge and pledged federal help in rebuilding the span. He also vowed to help those who have lost their families in the accident. A a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, killing six people. The work to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Mid-Atlantic state's shipping channel is still ongoing. Aboard his Marine One helicopter, Biden flew over the scene of the disaster to get an aerial view. He met local officials for a briefing on the economic impact to the Baltimore port, an important shipping destination for ships to offload automobiles. Biden during his address said, "We will not rest until the bridge is rebuilt and the area is back to normal.” US President further called on Congress to approve funding for the new bridge as soon as possible. "I'm here to say your nation has your back and I mean it. We're going to get this paid for." And those responsible for bridge collapse will help pay to repair the damage and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow," he further stated. Biden later met the families of the six people killed in the accident. Effort towards opening the main channel Unified Command, a coalition of federal and state agencies overseeing the response to the bridge collapse, in a statement said that the Captain of the Port (COTP) was "preparing to establish a temporary alternate channel on the northeast side of the main channel in the vicinity of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for commercially essential vessels." "This will mark an important first step along the road to reopening the port of Baltimore," said Captain David O'Connell, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, Key Bridge Response 2024. "By opening this alternate route, we will support the flow of marine traffic into Baltimore," he further said.. Also read | Baltimore bridge collapse: Two bodies recovered; retrieval efforts suspended due to treacherous waters The temporary route will be marked with navigational aids and have "a controlling depth of 11 feet (3.35 metres), a 264 foot (80.4 metres) horizontal clearance, and vertical clearance 96 feet (29.26 metres)," added the statement. However, the statement did not specify which vessels will be permitted to use the alternate channel or provide a timeline for its opening. Aside from the upcoming temporary channel, an existing safety zone around the collapsed site remains in effect. This, as per the statement, is "intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment." Vessels and people are required to obtain permission from the COTP or a designated representative to enter the safety zone. As per media reports, a "remarkably complex operation" to clear the debris has begun at the incident site. The Port of Baltimore is a vital hub for trade to the US economy. In 2023, $80.8 billion worth of foreign cargo moved through it. How did the ship ram into the bridge? As per Reuters that cited officials, there is no evidence of foul play. The massive cargo ship was crippled by power loss when it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the mouth of the Patapsco River at about 1:30 am (0530 GMT). Dali, the Singapore-flagged container vessel, was heading out of the harbour bound for Sri Lanka. Also read | Baltimore bridge collapse: Six missing workers presumed dead A timely Mayday call from the crew of the ship led officials to stop traffic on the bridge before the collapse. However, six workers were present on the bridge when the incident happened and were reported missing. Bodies of two of them have been recovered while the rest are presumed dead. "By being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge, these people are heroes. They saved lives last night," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore at a news briefing. Moore assured people that the bridge was up to code and there were no known structural issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden inspects collapsed Baltimore Bridge, pledges help

A group of immigrant workers gathered at the Baltimore offices of Casa a Maryland-based immigration advocacy group where they mourned the lives lost on the bridge collapse. This comes as a crane that can lift a thousand tons described as one of the largest on the Eastern Seaboard arrived near the site of a collapsed highway bridge as crews prepare to begin clearing wreckage that is hindering the search for four workers missing and presumed dead.

US President Biden to plan response & recovery efforts in Baltimore; channel to be reconstructed

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Joe Biden inspects collapsed Baltimore Bridge, pledges help

US President Biden to plan response & recovery efforts in Baltimore; channel to be reconstructed