Father of three among six Baltimore bridge collapse victims; families, friends grieve

In the wake of the Baltimore bridge collapse, six workers, including Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, a father of two, and Miguel Luna, a father of three, are presumed dead after a cargo vessel collision plunged them into frigid waters.

When the tragedy struck on the fateful night ofTuesday (Mar 26), these construction workers were on their shift in a bid to repair potholes on the vitalFrancis Scott Key Bridge.

This bridge spans the Patapsco River, connecting Baltimore with Anne Arundel County, and its graceful arches and sweeping views make it a favourite spot for photographers and tourists as well as provide a crucial link for commuters, facilitating the flow of goods and people in and out of the city.

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However, a Singapore-flagged container ship Dali struck one of its pillars and sent the workers into the icy depths below.

A search effort was carried on, however, the rescue mission has been halted now. Officials are deeming survival in the freezing, debris-laden waters highly unlikely.

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Among those lost, the 38-year-old Sandoval was remembered as a devoted family man and an entrepreneur.

Hailing from Honduras, Sandoval had sought a better life in the US for nearly two decades. He leaves behind a wife and two children - an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.

Similarly, Miguel Luna, a father of three, was also among the victims. Luna, originally from El Salvador and his wife ran a food truck. Luna does not have fluency in English so to communicate the news, people will have to rely on a translation app for communication.

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His absence added a profound sorrow to the community.As the families of the victims grapple with the tragedy, efforts to provide support and assistance are underway.

“It’s very sad. Having known him for almost one and a half years… it’s quite disheartening for everyone,” one Roychowdhury who used to often visit Luna's truck reportedly told a Western media outlet.“I’m really feeling sorry for his family. He has… family over here and takes care of all of them. It’s quite sad for his family to know that he is missing," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)