NEW DELHI: One of the 22 “heroic” Indian crew members on board “Dali” was injured when the container ship had crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.
The injured crew member has been treated and discharged from hospital, said the Singapore-flagged ship’s operator, Synergy Marine Group (SMG).
Indian crew members had alerted local authorities in time about having lost control of their vessel, helping save several lives.US President Joe Biden said at the White House: “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.”
“We confirm the safety of all crew members and two pilots aboard “Dali”, with one minor injury reported,” SMG said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, the incident also impacted those who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the time… so far two rescued from the water, including one person with serious injuries… Six people are presumed dead. We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone affected and their families,” SMG said.
US authorities have “boarded the vessel to carry out investigations”. The “Dali” was headed from Baltimore to Colombo.