Baltimore bridge collapse: 20 Indians on board facing ‘tough’ time on Dali, say 'situation getting worse'

NEW DELHI: Twenty-one sailors aboard the Dali ship are enduring severe hardships as they remain stranded at sea. The vessel, which has been immobilized for an extended period due to mechanical issues, has left the crew in a precarious situation without access to essential resources.
One of the sailors, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shed light on the dire conditions they are facing: “Life is tough.We don’t have access to proper food, water, or medical supplies. The situation is getting worse every day.” The sailor’s account highlights the urgent need for relief and assistance, as the crew’s basic needs are not being met, a New York Post report said.
The ordeal began when the Dali ship encountered mechanical problems that halted its journey, leaving it adrift and unable to reach a safe harbor. Despite efforts to secure assistance, the response has been sluggish, compounding the crew's struggles. The lack of immediate aid has left the sailors feeling isolated and abandoned.
Another sailor shared the emotional toll of their situation: “We are trying to stay hopeful, but it’s hard. We need help soon.” The prolonged uncertainty and harsh living conditions have taken a significant toll on the crew's morale and well-being. The sailors are confined to the ship with limited communication with the outside world, adding to their sense of isolation.
The update came following reports that the 20 Indian crew stuck in Baltimore can not pay bills for their families in India as their phones have been confiscated by the probe agencies.
Authorities are reportedly working on a solution to rescue the stranded sailors, but the timeline for such efforts remains unclear. The delay in providing assistance has raised concerns about the welfare of the crew, as their situation grows increasingly desperate with each passing day.
Family members of the stranded sailors have also expressed their anxiety and frustration. One relative, who wished to remain unnamed, said, “We are worried sick. It’s been too long, and we need answers. Our loved ones are out there suffering, and it feels like nothing is being done.”
Maritime experts have pointed out the importance of swift action in such situations. Prolonged delays not only jeopardize the physical health of the crew but also pose psychological risks. “In cases like this, immediate intervention is crucial to prevent a humanitarian crisis,” said a maritime safety expert.
As the world watches and waits, the stranded sailors aboard the Dali ship continue to hope for a timely rescue. Their story is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those who work at sea and the critical need for efficient emergency response mechanisms in maritime operations.
Dali refloated, moved back to port
Meanwhile, recovery teams refloated Dali in the Port of Baltimore early on Monday and pulled it free of the main channel, two months after the boat crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge and caused the span to collapse.
Tugboats led the Dali to a local marine terminal after a successful effort to make the container ship buoyant at about 6:40am EDT (1040 GMT), the US Army Corps of Engineers said on social media platform X.
The removal of the Dali marked a significant step in the Port of Baltimore's recovery from the boat's March 26 collision with one of the bridge's support pillars. The bridge's collapse killed six road workers and hindered traffic through the busiest port for car shipments in the US.
President Joe Biden praised the team that freed the ship from its weeks-long imprisonment under the bridge's wreckage in a post on X on Monday.
"It took the grit of workers and officials coming together to get this done," Biden said. "That's Baltimore Strong."
(With inputs from agencies)