US authorities recover bodies in submerged pickup truck after Baltimore bridge collapse

Authorities in Maryland, United States of America, on Wednesday, said divers recovered two bodies during a search for the workers who plunged into the water after a cargo ship slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.

Divers discovered a red pickup truck submerged under 25 feet of water in the middle span of the bridge and found the two bodies trapped inside.

The victims: Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk have been identified by Maryland State Police Superintendent, Col. Roland Butler.

Butler said the men’s families have been notified by authorities.

“Based upon the conditions, we’re now moving from a recovery mode to a salvage operation because of the superstructure surrounding what we believe are the vehicles and the amount of concrete and debris; divers are no longer able to safely navigate or operate in the areas around this wreckage,” Butler said.

Butler added that four other construction workers remain missing, but are presumed dead.

The victims were said to be from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

The Police Superintendent further announced that all search efforts have been exhausted.

However, Butler said based on sonar scans, authorities “firmly” believe the other vehicles with victims inside are encased in superstructures and concrete from the collapsed bridge.

DAILY POST recalls that the ship collided into a support pillar early Tuesday, causing the span to collapse.

The ship, which was headed from Baltimore to Sri Lanka, is owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., and Danish shipping giant Maersk said it had chartered the vessel.