Divers have resumed the search for six missing individuals following Tuesday's devastating events in Baltimore.
At around 1:30AM on March 26, a cargo ship - identified as the Dali - struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge approximately 30 minutes after embarking on its 27-day voyage to Sri Lanka while laden with cargo.
The collision resulted in eight individuals being reported missing.
After two individuals were rescued - with US Coast Guard and Maryland State Police officials confirming that one person is currently in a critical condition - divers and search teams desperately continued their search for six others.
It has been confirmed that the missing individuals are all male construction workers.
Sadly, due to conditions in the water no longer being safe for dive teams, the search for the six missing men was called off after 18 hours.
It was then tragically announced that the six men are presumed to be dead at this time.
"Given the duration of our search efforts, the extensive resources deployed, and considering the water temperature, we regrettably do not anticipate locating these individuals alive," stated Coast Guard rear admiral Shannon Gilreath, who is helping to oversee the operation.
"While the Coast Guard and our collaborating agencies remain committed to the search, we are transitioning into a different phase," the official added. "The Coast Guard’s not going away, none of our partners are going away, but we’re just going to transition into a different phase."
On Wednesday morning, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott informed CNN that rescue operations remain centered on locating the six individuals.
Scott disclosed that just prior to his conversation with CNN, he had received an update indicating that divers were preparing to recommence their search efforts in the water.
"That work is already dangerous, but will be even more so today," Scott said. "With the expected rain, the choppy waters and we all know about the debris and other things that they'll be dealing with."
"We also have to live those first responders up who are putting their own lives at risk to be able to bring home those who we lost to have some sort of closure for those families."
Our thoughts continue to be with anybody impacted by this tragedy.
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