Today’s Current Affairs: Indian Crew Still Stuck on Ship Months After Baltimore Bridge Collapse
In a tragic incident on March 26, a container ship collided with a commuter bridge in Baltimore, causing its collapse and leaving 20 Indian crew members and one Sri Lankan stranded on board the Singapore-flagged vessel Dali. The crew has been unable to disembark due to visa restrictions and ongoing investigations by the NTSB and FBI.
Efforts to free the ship have been underway, with crews demolishing part of the bridge on Monday. Despite the challenges, the crew members are reportedly in good spirits and are assisting with salvage operations and investigations.
US President Joe Biden has pledged federal funds to rebuild the bridge and ensure a new channel for shipping traffic by the end of May. The crew, meanwhile, has received support from community groups, including care packages with Indian snacks and quilts.
## Question 1: What caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore?
– A) Strong winds
– B) Collision with another ship
– C) Electricity blackouts on the container ship Dali
– D) Structural weakness of the bridge
Answer: C) Electricity blackouts on the container ship Dali
## Question 2: Why have the Indian and Sri Lankan crew members been unable to deboard the ship?
– A) Visa restrictions
– B) Lack of communication with the outside world
– C) Criminal probe by the FBI
– D) Demolition of the bridge
Answer: A) Visa restrictions
## Question 3: Who is the spokesperson for the Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd.?
– A) Jim Lawrence
– B) Joe Biden
– C) The Rev. Joshua Messick
– D) The crew members
Answer: A) Jim Lawrence
## Question 4: What assistance have the crew members received from various community groups?
– A) Visa extensions
– B) Care packages with Indian snacks and quilts
– C) Temporary cell phones with data included
– D) Free transportation back to India
Answer: B) Care packages with Indian snacks and quilts
Why are Indians still stuck on the ship months after it hit the US bridge?
Indians are still stuck on the ship because they are unable to deboard due to visa restrictions and ongoing investigations by the NTSB and FBI.
What happened when the container ship hit the commuter bridge in Baltimore?
When the container ship hit the commuter bridge in Baltimore, the bridge collapsed, killing six people and halting shipping traffic at a major port on the US East Coast.
What did the preliminary report by federal investigators reveal about the Dali?
The preliminary report by federal investigators revealed that the Dali suffered two electricity blackouts in the moments before the disaster, as well as two blackouts about ten hours before leaving Baltimore.
What efforts have been made to free the Dali and its crew?
Crews demolished part of the bridge in a bid to free the Dali, and authorities hope this will help the crew move closer to a reunion with their families. The crew has also been given temporary cell phones and care packages from community groups.
What did US President Joe Biden promise in response to the bridge collapse?
US President Joe Biden promised to “move heaven and earth” to rebuild the bridge, pledging federal funds and stating that a new channel for shipping traffic would open by the end of May.
Today's current affairs highlight the ongoing situation of the Indian crew stuck on the container ship Dali, months after it hit a US bridge in Baltimore. The ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and killing six people. The crew, consisting of 20 Indians and one Sri Lankan, has been unable to deboard due to visa restrictions and ongoing investigations by the NTSB and FBI. Despite the challenges, the crew remains in good spirits and is assisting with salvage work and investigations. President Joe Biden has pledged federal funds to rebuild the bridge, providing hope for the crew's eventual reunion with their families.
