Six people are reported dead after a 300-meter cargo ship struck a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday morning (26), causing its collapse.
They were all working on the bridge when the ship collided with one of its pillars.
Miguel Luna, a father of three from El Salvador, was identified as one of the six who were on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed, according to CASA, a nonprofit organization that provides services to working-class and middle-class immigrant families.
“Unfortunately, we found out that one of the construction workers involved was a long-time member of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sadness to this already grave situation,” said executive director Gustavo Torres. “Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, left at 6:30 PM on Monday night to work and did not return home,” the statement said.
Another victim was identified as Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, according to Martin Suazo, his brother.
Martin, who lives in Honduras, told CNN that family members in Baltimore called him to inform that his brother, who was doing maintenance on the bridge, was missing after the collapse.
Yassir had been living in the United States for 18 years and was originally from Azacualpa, Honduras. He was married and the father of an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter.
His family still believes he may be found alive or that his body will be recovered for a dignified farewell.
Two other construction workers missing in the bridge collapse were from Guatemala, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported in a statement on Tuesday (26). They are a 26-year-old man from San Luis, Petén, and a 35-year-old man from Camotán, Chiquimula, according to the statement.
The ministry reported that both were part of a work crew “repairing the asphalt on the bridge at the time of the accident.”
Three Mexican citizens were working on the bridge at the time of the collision — two were reported dead and one was rescued alive.
The chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board told CNN that investigators were able to board the ship overnight and recover the data recorder, or black box, and more information about the incident will be released to the public soon.
Source: CNN