BALTIMORE — Nearly 24 hours after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed the mood among those who knew the workers who were on the bridge when it fell has shifted with search and rescue efforts being suspended.
The bridge had a catastrophic collapse after a cargo ship apparently lost control and crashed into a support structure. At least eight workers were on the bridge filling potholes when it collapsed. Two of those people were rescued, and one of them went to the hospital.
More than 18 hours after a bridge collapsed, officials announced they were suspending search and rescue operations for the workers.
Tuesday afternoon, people who knew the unaccounted workers said they were hopeful but now, as search and rescue efforts transform into a recovery mission, the reality is setting in that those six workers may not be coming home.
"My heart goes out to the families," said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. "This is a... I can't imagine how painful tonight has been."
Moore vowed Tuesday night to use every asset at the state's disposal to bring closure to the families of the six crew members who are presumed dead.
"They were fathers, brothers, cousins, they were sons," said Moore.
Maryland officials have not yet released the names of the victims. However, the regional consuls of El Salvador, Mexico, and Guatemala confirmed that their nationals are among the men who are not accounted for.
"Our people are involved," said Consul General of Mexico in Washington, D.C. Rafael Laveaga. "It was a crew who was repairing pots of the, I think potholes, on the bridge. And they are going to be the ones that build the bridge again, the Latino workforce."
The consul of Guatemala tells WUSA9 at least two of the men are from her country. A press release from the consulate says the two men are 26 and 35 years old, but did not confirm their identities as they are working to meet with family members in Guatemala.
The consuls of El Salvador and Mexico say it's too early to say how many of their nationals are among the presumed dead.
In a statement Wednesday, CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres confirmed the identity of one of the men killed in the collapse as Miguel Luna.
“In the aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, our hearts ache for the families of the victims and all those impacted by this horrific accident. Sadly, we discovered that one of the construction workers involved was a longtime member of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sorrow to this already grievous situation,” Torres said.
According to Torres, Luna was a husband and a father of three originally from El Salvador. He had been living in Maryland for 19 years.
The consuls say they are going to be assisting the families throughout this process, whether it be by providing documentation to identify their loved ones or even helping bury them in their home countries.
Governor Moore said he wanted to leave all Marylanders with one message tonight, we are Maryland tough, and Baltimore Strong.
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