The US government has allocated $60 million in emergency funds to Maryland for clearing debris and beginning the reconstruction of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Reuters reports.
The bridge collapsed after a cargo freighter lost power and struck it, resulting in two confirmed deaths and four missing individuals. Maryland Governor Wes Moore requested the funds, which were approved within hours by the Federal Highway Administration. The priority is to recover the missing workers, clear the shipping channel, support affected individuals, and rebuild the bridge. Experts are assessing how to remove the trapped vessel, and diving operations were suspended due to safety concerns.
The final cost of rebuilding could exceed $2 billion, with Congress expected to fund the replacement bridge. The incident has led to the closure of the Port of Baltimore, impacting shipping operations.
