Salvage teams have recovered the body of a sixth construction worker, believed to be the last victim who went missing after the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
The victim was identified as 37-year-old Jose Mynor Lopez of Baltimore, Maryland. His body was found on May 7 at the scene of the bridge’s collapse, according to the Key Bridge Response Unified Command.
The Maryland State Police, along with an FBI victim specialist and linguist, and a team of mental health professionals have notified the victim’s family members after a positive identification was confirmed.
“With heavy hearts, today marks a significant milestone in our recovery efforts and providing closure to the loved ones of the six workers who lost their lives in this tragic event,” Col. Roland Butler Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, said in a statement.
“As we mourn with the families, we honor the memory of Jose Mynor Lopez, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, and Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez,” he added.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement on social media expressing his “deep gratitude” to the entire Unified Command and rescue teams for “never losing focus on the importance of recovering all the victims.”
“It is impossible to overstate how important it is that we’ve been able to bring each of these Marylanders home to their families, and the small amount of peace and closure to their families it brings.
“As we close this chapter in this effort and continue the work of fully reopening the channel, we will never forget to center the loss that we felt as a result of this unthinkable tragedy and the lives that were forever changed as a result,” Mr. Scott stated.
A massive cargo ship lost power and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of March 26, causing it to collapse. Eight construction workers were repairing potholes on the bridge at the time of the crash. Two were rescued while the remaining six went missing.
The missing victims were presumed dead after the Coast Guard ended its search in March. Col. Butler has described the bridge’s collapse as “one of the most challenging tragedies” the department has faced.
The bodies of two workers—identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26–were recovered from a submerged pickup truck on March 27. The third victim’s body, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, was recovered on April 5.
Salvage teams recovered the body of a fourth victim, whose identity was not disclosed, at the site on April 14. The fifth victim’s body, Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49, was recovered on May 1.
The Dali container ship has been stationary amid the wreckage since the collapse, but crews plan to refloat and remove the ship, allowing more maritime traffic to resume through Baltimore’s port. Officials expect to have it removed by May 10, according to the Port of Baltimore.
The Maryland Department of Transportation announced last week its plan to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in just over four years at an estimated cost between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion.
The state plans to build a new span by the fall of 2028, said David Broughton, a spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Transportation. He noted that the cost estimate is preliminary, and detailed engineering specifics have not been confirmed.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that several of the containers on the ship were carrying hazardous materials but no pollution has been reported. The agency thus far estimates the damage to the bridge and vessel to “exceed $500,000.”
Chase Smith and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
