THE owners of the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, Dali, announced on Wednesday (27) that one crew member from India sustained minor injury when the vessel collided with a bridge in Baltimore. However, the other 21 crew members are safe.
The collision happened early Tuesday (26), causing part of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which spans the Patapsco River in Baltimore, to collapse.
"We confirm the safety of all crew members and two pilots aboard Dali, with one minor injury reported. The injured crew member has been treated and discharged from hospital," a statement by owners Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and ship manager of Dali, posted on the website of ship management company Synergy Marine Group.
The name and other details of the crew have not been released.
Authorities from the US Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board boarded the vessel to carry out investigations, it said.
Synergy had said in a statement after the accident that Dali's crew is All Indian, 22 in total.
"All crew members, including the two pilots, have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries. There has also been no pollution," Synergy had said.
Synergy and Grace Ocean noted that unfortunately, the incident also impacted those who were on the bridge at the time.
As per the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the search and rescue operation has been called off for the night. Six people are presumed dead.
The company's Emergency Response Team has been dispatched and is presently at Baltimore to support the ongoing efforts to ensure crew safety, maintain vessel integrity and facilitate the swift and safe reopening of the waterway, it said.
It noted media reports that US President Joe Biden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore had expressed thanks to the vessel's crew for issuing a mayday warning before the impact, which they said had probably saved lives.
Authorities too said that a mayday call by the vessel's crew enabled officials to stop vehicular traffic from coming onto the bridge, undoubtedly saving many more lives.
(PTI)
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, in Scunthorpe, northern England, Britain, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.