Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore called for prayers after a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the city, leading to a catastrophic collapse early on Tuesday morning.
The 984-foot cargo ship struck one of the bridge’s support columns just before 1:30am. Footage showed the 1.6-mile-long, multi-lane road bridge quickly collapsing after the impact.
In a statement posted to social media hours later, Lori said he was “saddened, as you are, to learn of the tragic incident overnight that led to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Baltimore harbour”.
“Pray with me for all involved, especially the victims traveling over the span at the time of impact, the construction crews on site, and all of the first responders acting with urgency to rescue survivors,” the archbishop wrote.
“Let us join in prayer asking the Lord to grant consolation and strength as we cope with this terrible tragedy.”
Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, likewise issued a call for prayers on Tuesday morning. The Diocese of Arlignton is located about 40 miles from the Key Bridge.
“At this time of uncertainty, in which rescuers are heroically working to find survivors of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, I call on all people of goodwill to pray that additional survivors will be recovered and for first responders, the victims, and their families,” Burbidge said.
On Tuesday afternoon, the coast guard was searching for at least six individuals reportedly on the bridge at the time of the collapse who were unaccounted for, but that evening they said they were suspending the operation.
“We do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive,” they said.
Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore on Tuesday said a mayday call from the ship prior to the accident allowed authorities to close the bridge just before the collapse, stopping traffic from crossing as it fell apart.
“I’m thankful for the folks, once the warning came up and once notification came up that there was a mayday, who literally by being able to stop cars from coming over the bridge – these people are heroes,” he said. “They saved lives last night.”
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