Baltimore Bridge Collapse: 'We're Thankful...', Biden Lauds Indian Crew For Urgent 'Mayday' Call

Washington: US President Joe Biden praised the prompt action of the 22-member Indian for saving lives by alerting local authorities before the dramatic collision of the key Baltimore Bridge.  

"Personnel on board the ship were able to alert the Maryland Department of Transportation that they had lost control of their vessel…As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before the bridge was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives,” Biden said, in remarks at the White House. He further stressed that “everything so far indicates” that this was a terrible accident.

"At this time, we have no other indication -- no other reason to believe there was any intentional act here,” Biden stated.  According to an American Pilots Association officer, the ship suffered a total blackout before the collision with the bridge. 

On Tuesday, Biden plans to travel to Baltimore “as quickly as I can” and that he plans for the federal government to pick up the entire cost of reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed earlier in the day 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 believe there’s any intentional act here,” he said.

About The Baltimore Bridge Collapse

For the unversed, Baltimore's 2.6 km-long Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after the container ship manned entirely by an Indian crew collided with one of its supports Tuesday early morning. Authorities in the United States have declared that the six construction workers who disappeared following the devastating collapse of the 2.57 km-long Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore city are now presumed to have lost their lives.