Baltimore bridge collapse: Search suspended for six missing workers


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A cargo ship hit a major bridge in the eastern US city of Baltimore, Maryland, in the early hours of Tuesday, causing it to collapse and plunging several people into the frigid river below.

The six people, who were carrying out maintenance work on the bridge at the time, are presumed dead.

"At this point we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath said.

Officials suspended search and rescue operations on Tuesday evening.

Two people were rescued from the water earlier, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace told reporters.

One of the people pulled from the river refused medical treatment, while another was seriously injured and is being treated at a trauma centre, Mr Wallace said.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described the scene as unbelievable and like “something out of an action movie”, after footage showed a large section of the 2.6km Francis Scott Key Bridge toppling into the Patapsco River at about 1.30am.

The ship involved in the incident, the Singapore-flagged container vessel Dali, appeared to lose power before it struck the bridge, and footage showing large plumes of smoke rising from the ship was shared online.

Officials have declared a citywide state of emergency.

The river is as deep as 15 metres in some areas, Baltimore's fire department confirmed.

Wind, frigid temperatures and murky waters made rescue teams' working conditions difficult.

“We're going to send all the federal resources they need as we respond to this emergency, I mean all the federal resources and we're going to rebuild that port together,” President Joe Biden said from the White House.

“Everything so far indicates that this was a terrible accident. At this time, we have no other indication, no other reason to believe and if any intentional acts here.”

Witnesses heard loud boom before ship struck - video

He said that the federal government would pay to repair the bridge so it can be reopened as quickly as possible.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, on a last-minute visit to Baltimore for the incident, said it was too soon to estimate how long it would take to clear the channel and rebuild the bridge.

Mr Biden said he planned to visit the city soon.

A large lorry was crossing the bridge when it collapsed, fire department officials told CBS News, and there was reportedly a large amount of diesel in the water.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the bridge was “up to code” when asked if there had been any structural issues.

“We are still investigating what happened but we are quickly gathering details,” he told reporters.

“The preliminary investigation points to an accident. We haven't seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack.”

Maryland Transport Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge had been repairing potholes at the time of the collapse.

“The crew that was out there working was basically repairing potholes, just so you understand, that had nothing to do with a structural issue at all on the facility,” Mr Wiedefeld said.

The Dali had set off from Baltimore, bound for Sri Lanka, at 1am on Tuesday.

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse – in pictures

  • A satellite image of the Dali container ship and sections of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. Reuters
    A satellite image of the Dali container ship and sections of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. Reuters
  • People gather for a vigil at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Dundalk, Maryland. AP
    People gather for a vigil at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Dundalk, Maryland. AP
  • The Dali cargo ship ran into the bridge, leading to its collapse on March 26. AFP
    The Dali cargo ship ran into the bridge, leading to its collapse on March 26. AFP
  • News crews and residents gather along the shoreline. Rescuers pulled two people from the Patapsco River but were searching for at least seven more. AFP
    News crews and residents gather along the shoreline. Rescuers pulled two people from the Patapsco River but were searching for at least seven more. AFP
  • Jesus Campos speaks about the work he and his co-workers normally do to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge. AFP
    Jesus Campos speaks about the work he and his co-workers normally do to repair the Francis Scott Key Bridge. AFP
  • Mr Scott, centre, hugs an attendee during a vigil for victims of the bridge collapse at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Baltimore. AFP
    Mr Scott, centre, hugs an attendee during a vigil for victims of the bridge collapse at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Baltimore. AFP
  • Baltimore Police commissioner Richard Worley, centre, Mayor Brandon Scott, right, and Fire Department chief James Wallace hold a press conference. AFP
    Baltimore Police commissioner Richard Worley, centre, Mayor Brandon Scott, right, and Fire Department chief James Wallace hold a press conference. AFP
  • Rescuers gather on the shore of the Patapsco River for an operation authorities described as a 'mass casualty, multi-agency rescue'. EPA
    Rescuers gather on the shore of the Patapsco River for an operation authorities described as a 'mass casualty, multi-agency rescue'. EPA
  • Motorway alerts warn drivers about the incident in Baltimore. Reuters
    Motorway alerts warn drivers about the incident in Baltimore. Reuters
  • A number of workers were carrying out repairs when the Dali hit the bridge. Bloomberg
    A number of workers were carrying out repairs when the Dali hit the bridge. Bloomberg
  • The bridge collapsed on top of the vessel. EPA
    The bridge collapsed on top of the vessel. EPA
  • A large lorry was crossing the bridge when it collapsed, fire department officials said. Reuters
    A large lorry was crossing the bridge when it collapsed, fire department officials said. Reuters
  • The Francis Scott Key Bridge was the world's third-longest continuous truss bridge. Getty Images
    The Francis Scott Key Bridge was the world's third-longest continuous truss bridge. Getty Images

Mr Moore later said an emergency call from the ship had allowed authorities to close the bridge to vehicle traffic before the collision.

The Dali's crew is safe and unhurt, the ship's management said.

“Whilst the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined, the Dali has now mobilised its qualified individual incident response service,” said the Singapore-based Synergy Maritime Group.

Maritime traffic in and out of the port has been suspended until further notice, officials said. The area near the bridge has been declared a “no drone zone” by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The bridge carries Maryland's Interstate 695, which encircles Baltimore. It is the world's third-longest continuous truss bridge.

A critical element of the city's skyline, transit and infrastructure, the bridge was named after Baltimore poet Francis Scott Key, the author of the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

More than a third of US bridges are in need of repair, and over 43,000 are in poor condition and classified as “structurally deficient”, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association said.

In June, a bridge collapsed in Philadelphia after a lorry carrying more than 32,000 litres of petrol crashed and caught fire on a major motorway used by about 160,000 people each day.

State authorities declared a state of emergency after the crash, which caused major disruption to traffic on the east coast and required a month of repairs.

Thirteen people were killed in a 2007 bridge collapse in Minnesota.

Investigators said the accident was caused by construction errors.

Jihan Abdalla contributed to this report from Washington

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Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

Motori Profile

Date started: March 2020

Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa

Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi

Sector: Insurance Sector

Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)

Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing 

Investors: Safe City Group

THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%204.4-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20653hp%20at%205%2C400rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20800Nm%20at%201%2C600-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3ETransmission%3A%208-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E0-100kph%20in%204.3sec%0D%3Cbr%3ETop%20speed%20250kph%0D%3Cbr%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20NA%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Q2%202023%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Aston martin DBX specs

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Top speed: 291kph

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: Q2, 2020
 

How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now

Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.

The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.

1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):

a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33

b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.

2. For those who have worked more than five years

c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.

Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Packages which the US Secret Service said contained possible explosive devices were sent to:

  • Former first lady Hillary Clinton
  • Former US president Barack Obama
  • Philanthropist and businessman George Soros
  • Former CIA director John Brennan at CNN's New York bureau
  • Former Attorney General Eric Holder (delivered to former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz)
  • California Congresswoman Maxine Waters (two devices)
Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421,  Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day. 

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

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%3Cp%3E1.%20Baghdad%2C%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E2.%20Manama%2C%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E3.%20Dhahran%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E4.%20Kuwait%20City%2C%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E5.%20Ras%20Al%20Khaimah%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E6.%20Ash%20Shihaniyah%2C%20Qatar%3Cbr%3E7.%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E8.%20Cairo%2C%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E9.%20Riyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E10.%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOST%20POLLUTED%20COUNTRIES%20IN%20THE%20WORLD
%3Cp%3E1.%20Chad%3Cbr%3E2.%20Iraq%3Cbr%3E3.%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3E4.%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3E5.%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E6.%20Burkina%20Faso%3Cbr%3E7.%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3E8.%20India%3Cbr%3E9.%20Egypt%3Cbr%3E10.%20Tajikistan%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%202022%20World%20Air%20Quality%20Report%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Results:

5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.

Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).

5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:

Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.

6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.

Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.

6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.

Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.

7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.

Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.

Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Why seagrass matters
  • Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
  • Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
  • Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
  • Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Company profile

Name: Dukkantek 

Started: January 2021 

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani 

Based: UAE 

Number of employees: 140 

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service) 

Investment: $5.2 million 

Funding stage: Seed round 

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office  

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company Profile

Company name: Big Farm Brothers

Started: September 2020

Founders: Vishal Mahajan and Navneet Kaur

Based: Dubai Investment Park 1

Industry: food and agriculture

Initial investment: $205,000

Current staff: eight to 10

Future plan: to expand to other GCC markets

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Sunday's games

Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm

Quarter-finals

Saturday (all times UAE)

England v Australia, 11.15am 
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm

Sunday

Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.

Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.

Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.

When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety

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Results:

Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.

Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The%20new%20Turing%20Test
%3Cp%3EThe%20Coffee%20Test%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EA%20machine%20is%20required%20to%20enter%20an%20average%20American%20home%20and%20figure%20out%20how%20to%20make%20coffee%3A%20find%20the%20coffee%20machine%2C%20find%20the%20coffee%2C%20add%20water%2C%20find%20a%20mug%20and%20brew%20the%20coffee%20by%20pushing%20the%20proper%20buttons.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProposed%20by%20Steve%20Wozniak%2C%20Apple%20co-founder%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Updated: March 28, 2024, 12:43 PM