Maryland Governor Declares Rescue Divers' Conditions 'Unsafe' Following Baltimore Bridge Collapse

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has resulted in unsafe conditions for rescue divers due to weather and debris, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

"During a press conference, Moore stated that the water conditions are hazardous for rescue divers due to debris, wreckage, and pieces of the Key Bridge that have fallen into the water."

""We will prioritize the safety of our first responders and maintain an equal focus on both their well-being and our mission objectives," Moore stated."

Colonel Butler has assured me that rescue divers will return to the water as soon as the conditions become safe, according to Moore.

The Army Corps and their partners will proceed with crane operations on Saturday, and the north sections of the bridge will be dismantled, according to Moore, who described the process as "intricate."

Moore stated that this will eventually enable us to establish a temporary restricted channel, which will aid in increasing the number of vessels around the collapse site.

The Biden-Harris Administration and responding agencies were also thanked by Moore following the collapse.

The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged container ship, collided with a bridge in the water, causing it to collapse. As a result, eight construction workers, all from Central America, fell into the water. Two were rescued, while the bodies of two others were recovered. The remaining four workers are presumed dead.

The Dali, owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., was being transported from Baltimore to Sri Lanka by Danish shipping giant Maersk.

Officials reported that 13 of the 56 metal shipping containers with hazardous materials were destroyed. Booms were set up to control the spread of any oil that leaked into the water, and state environmental officials were also testing the water on Thursday.

Planet Chronicle' Bradford Betz contributed to this report.