Authorities say that rescue divers will return to the waters surrounding the collapsed Francis Scott Key bridge as soon as conditions improve, as four of construction – now presumed dead – remain missing.
Recovery and salvage missions were previously called off due to water temperatures and other hazards, but divers “remain on standby”.
At a press conference on Saturday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore told reporters: “Right now, the conditions make it unsafe for rescue divers. But as soon as those conditions change, Colonel [Roland] Butler has assured me that those rescue divers will be going right back in the water.”
It comes after enormous cranes arrived in Baltimore to help clear the wreckage, which officials say is an essential step before recovery efforts to find the missing construction workers.
One of the cranes, the Chesapeake 1000, is capable of lifting 1,000 tonnes — but the bridge is estimated to weigh around three or four times that, so it will need to be cut into sections, Maryland governor Wes Moore said. The first crane lift of debris was due to take place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, US president Joe Biden said on Friday he will go to Baltimore next week.
He also announced he has approved $60m in initial aid to rebuild the bridge.