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US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said that the country’s government should pay to rebuild the Baltimore bridge that collapsed earlier in the day and move “heaven and earth” to reopen the port at the earliest. He also urged the Congress to approve the funds for it.
“The search and rescue operation is our top priority. Ship traffic in the port of Baltimore has been suspended until further notice and we’ll need to clear that channel before the ship traffic can resume,” he told reporters at White House.
“It’s my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge…The people of Baltimore can count on us.”
The US President also said that the federal agencies are assisting with search and rescue efforts around the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
“Officials at the scene estimate eight people were unaccounted for. That number might change. Two have been rescued, one without injury and one in critical condition, and the search and rescue operation is continuing for all those remaining as we speak,” he said adding that everything indicates that it was a “terrible accident”.
Biden also said that there was “no other indication” to believe that it was an intentional act.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after a heavily laden cargo ship lost power and smashed into a support column.
Synergy Marine Group, the owners of the ship, said that all 22 crew members on board the ship “Dali” were Indians. All of them are safe.
The accident has put a halt on one of the most important ports on the US East Coast. According to a report by Bloomberg, it has the potential to slow down the supply chains and drive up the cost of consumer goods ahead of the November election.
The clearing and re-construction of a new bridge is likely to cost billions of dollars. It comes at a time when Biden is already struggling to persuade lawmakers to approve emergency aid for Ukraine, Israel and the southwest border.
“The people of Baltimore can count on us,” Biden said on Tuesday.
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Published: 26 Mar 2024, 11:21 PM IST
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