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Work begins on the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge

Photo: Julia Nikhinson / picture alliance / dpa / AP

Emergency services have begun salvaging the first parts of the bridge after the four-lane highway bridge collapsed in the US city of Baltimore.

A 200-ton piece was removed on Sunday from the debris field that has blocked access to the port of Baltimore since the accident, ABC News reported, citing authorities.

more on the subject

  • After a ship collision in Baltimore: How stable are Germany's bridges? By Alina Schadwinkel

  • Collapsed bridge in Baltimore: "Divers have rescued two victims of this tragedy"

  • Collision with a container ship: Why did the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse? By Alina Schadwinkel and Sven Scharf

  • Many missing people in Baltimore: The moment of the bridge collapse by Fabian Pieper

Last week, a container ship rammed a support pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the more than 2.5 kilometer long highway bridge to collapse. The bridge was neither secured nor built to be particularly robust. It dates from 1977 and no longer had contemporary protection.

Problems with the electronics could be a possible cause of the accident

According to the investigators, it was an accident; there may have been problems with the power supply on board the ship, which meant that it was no longer possible to control it. Several people died in the accident.

Since then, the steel framework has blocked passage from the port of the economic hub. The ship “Dali” is also still at the scene of the accident. First, a temporary canal will be created through which additional boats can reach the scene of the accident for rescue and clean-up work.

Alternative channel should be set up

Tons of additional steel and concrete rubble still need to be removed, Maryland Governor Wes Moore told the station. "We're talking about huge parts here." There are three or four tons of steel on the "Dali" alone.

How long it will take until access to the economically important port of Baltimore is possible again is unclear, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CBS News. As the port captain of Baltimore, David O'Connell, announced, a temporary alternative channel is to be set up "for commercially important ships."

flg/dpa