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A THIRD body has been pulled from the Francis Scott Key Bridge wreckage, almost two weeks after the structure collapsed.
Construction worker Maynor Suazo-Sandoval, 38, was recovered from the site of the Baltimore wreck around 10:30 am on Friday.
Dive teams from Unified Command made the tragic discovery and immediately notified the Maryland Department of State Police.
From there, the law enforcement’s recovery team deployed dive teams to retrieve the father of two.
Sandoval is one of six construction workers who have been presumed dead since the tragedy.
“The collapse of the Key Bridge is undoubtedly one of the most challenging tragedies we have faced as a law enforcement agency,” said Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police.
“Along with our local, state, and federal public safety partners, we will not give up.
“There are families still waiting to hear if we have found their loved one. I can promise you, we are fully committed to finding closure for each of these families.”
Mayor Brandon M. Scott also released a statement after Sandoval’s body was found.
“This evening the Unified Command announced that divers were able to bring Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, one of the remaining missing workers, home to his family,” he wrote.
“While I take solace in knowing this brings us one step closer to closure, my heart continues to be with all the families still waiting anxiously for their loved ones.
” I am grateful for the first responders who have maintained focus on recovering the remaining victims and continued their work to clear the channel with the utmost care.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to support these families, and provide whatever they need to persevere through this unthinkable tragedy.”
The brother of the victim, Carlos Suazo-Sandoval, revealed that he learned the tragic news on Friday.
“The emotion was big,” he said in Spanish. “The whole family let out a yell,” he told The Baltimore Sun.
He continued saying his family is planning a burial in Honduras, and they expect to receive more information on Saturday.
“I haven’t seen the body yet but we are very happy because thanks to God they found him and we are going to pray that they find his co-workers,” Carlos said.
“The struggle continues for the other bodies.”
BODIES FOUND
The bridge collapsed at around 1:30 am on March 26 after the cargo ship, MV Dali, crashed into one of the support piers.
The following day, Colonel Roland L. Butler revealed during a press conference that two men were recovered from the wreckage.
The two victims found were Alejandro Fuentes, 35, from Mexico, and Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, 26, from Guatemala.
“Divers recovered two victims of this tragedy trapped within the vehicle,” said Butler.
A red truck was found before 10 am submerged in 25 feet of water near the bridge’s middle span, he said.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after a cargo ship bound for Asia smashed into one of its support pillars. Here is what we know so far:
- Search and rescue operations launched
- Six construction workers were reported missing
- March 27, the bodies of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera were pulled from the water
- Sonar technology found cars in the water
- Baltimore mayor compares the scene to an action movie
- Cops do not suspect any terror links
- Cargo ship appears to have suffered power outages before the collision
- White House on hand to offer federal assistance
- April 5, body of Maynor Suazo-Sandoval is recovered
At the time of the collapse, The men were said to have been filling potholes found on the bridge, according to officials.
Police were able to identify the victims using a driver’s license and a fingerprint, Butler explained.
Divers recovery efforts started early that morning as federal transportation safety investigators boarded ships to collect evidence.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the divers faced dangerous conditions in the search.
“They are down there in darkness where they can literally see about a foot in front of them. They are trying to navigate mangled metal, and they’re also in a place it is now presumed that people have lost their lives,” he said.
As of now, divers are still looking for Miguel Luna, 49, Jose Mynor Lopez, 35, and a third victim named Carlos.
The workers are presumed dead, but the wives of Luna and Lopez are still anxiously waiting for news of their whereabouts.
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT
President Joe Biden visited the collapse site on Friday to offer his support for the recovery efforts.
“To all our military members and first responders and most importantly, the people of Maryland. I’m here to say your nation has your back, and I mean it — your nation has your back,” Biden said.
“The damage is devastating, and our hearts are still breaking. Eight, eight construction workers went into the water when the bridge fell, six lost their lives. Most were immigrants, but all were Marylanders —hard-working strong, and selfless.”
Biden shared his condolences to the families of the six victims and spoke on his own experiences with loss.
“I’ve come here to grieve with you—we all are.” He went on to say, “It’s not the same, but I know a little bit about what it’s like to lose a piece of your soul to get that phone call late at night saying family members are gone—I’ve been there,” the president said.
“I’ll also never forget the contributions these men made to this city — we’re going to keep working hard to recover each of them.”
He went on promising to “move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge as rapidly as humanly possible”
Biden claimed that those responsible for the tragedy will be held accountable, and also called on Congress to pass funding to rebuild the bridge.
