mapped out shows the geopolitical reality beyond the border. what makes things to the way they are mapped out, navigating a changing world. now on youtube, the welcome to ask the w on youtube. i feel guy. oh, this is the show where your questions take center stage. today, taking a closer look, got tuesdays bridge collapse in the us city of baltimore, and taking your questions and comments on youtube dot com forward slash the w use. the few minutes will be joined by today's that guest as the road as easy to meet the who is the professor structural a bridge engineering and go to florida international university. and of course, will bring you the latest provide correspondence in baltimore and in washington. the main point of this show is to put you at the census. i'm send us your comments and questions regarding events. the francis scott key bridge. i to youtube dot com

forward slash dw news. well, the latest we have at best days is that 6 people are still missing after a massive call go shift crushed into this major bridge in the us port city of baltimore, causing the francis scott key bridge to collapse better lines. government said the ship that dolly reported losing power shortly before the incident and made a made a cold just before the crash. he added that initial investigation suggested it was an accident and that there was no credible evidence suggesting terrorism. the francis scott key bridge after the single 4 flight container ship smashed into one of its pillars. the collapse of the bridge was caught live by web broadcast. the ship struck at 1 30 am. with a in minutes, a major search and rescue operation was underway. the coast guards primary mission right now is search and rescue looking for any survivors in the water were

basically searching for, for everyone that was potentially on the bridge. as you can imagine, some building like, you know, you know, what type of traffic was there of how many workers were there. this video uploaded by a ship tracking service shows the vessels path as it went off course and then to the bridge. it issued a distress called minutes before the collision authority said workers then stopped the cars from crossing the bridge. afterwards, saving lives expert, save the size of the ship, simply overwhelmed the support structure. a heavy ship i that will impulse a very large load of many thousands of times when it hit something solid. and the ship is obviously struck the support of the bridge. not surprisingly, the bridge collapses because the supporters of i originally flimsy started. meanwhile, people in the region are bracing for the aftermath. the board of baltimore is key to shipping on the us east coast. and the collapse bridge will likely create traffic jams for months or even years to come. okay,

let's take you straight to the scene of this incidents and the port city of baltimore reports that to help do model is very welcome to now what do you see? how i feel so just to remind our viewers of where we have been covering the story from what we are standing at the northern side of the bridge. and i don't know, you might just be able to make out the start of the bridge behind me and where it stops in mid air. obviously the rest of the bridge after that point has already fallen into the river for you might also be able to see the cargo ship that is stuck into the remainder of the bridge. now. so this is as close as we've been allowed to go. we've been told that going and you closer to the scene, a might to present some safety or some structural integrity issues. but this has

been a spot where a local and state officials have been dropping by per yard equally to give us updates on especially the search and rescue operations. so earlier today we heard from maryland, governor westmore he was here talking about those, those live saving operations, talking about how grateful he was the 1st responders and providing us that update again about the 6 people who are currently on accounted for. they were workers working to repair the potholes on the bridge. divers are currently trying to locate them. but because of that distress signal that that ship was able to send out. and that allowed officials to close the bridge from both ends. fears of a mass casualty event seems to be calming down somewhat. now we're now waiting to hear from the national transport safety boards are expected here out later today, as well as transport secretary people to judge. he's already thought to be in the

area. and of course failed. there are going to be a lot of questions around how exactly of this happened, what this will mean for baltimore and for mary lynn. this was a very key artery, 30000 commuters. cross this across this bridge every day. but for now, of course, so the focus is the focus has to be on those missing people and all the potential life saving operations and recovery operations. so that are associated with that search. okay. to know that they belong in baltimore finance. thank you so much. i a all right let's so now we're going to bring in our other guests reports of stuff in the statements in washington and actually as easy to meaning is a professor of structural. i'm bridge engineering and go to florida international university. you joins us from new orleans in the us state of louisiana that started

by to take your questions and comments on the youtube dot com. forward slash a d w at news. i'm sure we start review please professor as easy. i mean, they just tell us what sort of bridge we are dealing with a what sort of bridge is the forensic? scott cambridge uh the bridge. is it the to still trust bridge? uh so it was a build in the mid 19 the 70s. but really the what, what happened today has really nothing to do with the type of the bridge that we are dealing with. so do i thing with the other fact so, so with the which, which i can elaborate on. but this is still trust, bridge multi is fine, fairly long as man in fact, the maintenance man, i believe it was set to be one of the longest one at the time that it was billed. okay, steven. uh as humans in washington, just take us through. they,

they sequence of events because i'm 6 people still missing, but this is a very busy interstate highway. it could have been a lot was that could've been a lot worse. i mean, the time when this occurred was probably, i hate to say it on, on the side of all of this. and what i mean by this is that could have been really, really where's imagine this to happen during rush hour? that would have been probably hundreds of cars and probably hundreds of people impacted in in the water as bad as it is that the search and rescue operations are going on for 6 people who are still missing. it could have been worse. so here's the timeline for this. at 124 a. m, the dally r d a l i a container ship that's the name of the container saved on the fingerprint flag. and the, the, the light's started to flicker at $125.00

a minute later. um it changed course uh and that we have seen on this truck are you? you a showed earlier at 126 until 127 at the lights cheap flickering and it goes this poet, 127. so at the end of $12700.00, it hits the bridge. uh at $14911.00 dispatcher alerts the baltimore, the fire department of the incident, and it's $158.00. and the 1st fire unit was on the scene. this ship has reportedly, and that is confirmed by a federal as well as the state authorities had issued in may. they just before it hit the bridge. uh, there was an apparent hour, a power outage. and uh, that's what triggered the, made a call. uh and uh, as we also heard the thank goodness authorities were able to close off the bridge. otherwise that could have been really, really works. okay, thanks for walking us out through that stuff on that. let's take the 1st 10 of your

questions to us here on ask the w 9, set youtube dot com, forward slash that dw new. so what went wrong with the call go ship? what's being said uh, stuff and savings, a power outage at the set cost for why a container ship like this. uh and its a massive ship. it's a 984 feet long. that's about the size of 3 foot ball faced length of 3 football fields and it loses power after it leaves port. it was on its way from baltimore to colombo. we don't know that yet. that is the task for the national transportation board and safety board to figure out n t s b. and for other experts they, they will look into this with full cooperation of a court record quarterly of the ship owner or the owner of the ship. and the, and the operating company who operates to ship a, but this was the reason power outage. they lost steering. assuming lee couldn't do

the ship any more into the lane and hit the part on a professor as easy to meet. what's your understanding of what went wrong? i think i think the to the what happened from the photos that's what i have seen. okay. um i saw a photo of the bridge before the collapse. this was a, i believe it was a 2018. what caught my eyes is that for this type of bridge, that's in the water where there's are lots of ship traffics. we protect the, the supports of the bridge by building some protection, sell or some type of structures that are completely evade from the bridge itself. but its function is to divert any kind of shape that

has lost a control or is getting close to bridge for diversity that prevent the uh, the ship heating the rich. so this is it the follow the into for the design of the such structures that protects the bridge. we followed the provisions of a governing specification into us which is ashton, a lot of the design, the specifications. and there's a very specific rules for that. what caught my eyes is that the, these protection cells or structure that's the supposed to be evey from the bridge and protected page from a ship. uh, it was very minimal. at least that's the way it's very easy to say. that's what is the problem. i think is related more to that then type of the bit. if you have any multi spend bridge,

if you take one of the support that bridge is going to collapse, it doesn't matter if it's still, if it's a concrete or whatever not. so i think might prove that thinking right now is that for whatever reason, i don't believe it said, i think the, what's important in this case is that we have the provisions to make sure that the bips that are out of control. those are the hit hit the bridge itself, there are and that's to the video space. there's also vision for human rights and started other isolated from image of that to me, that the structure for this bridge was fairly minimal. that that could be one of the reasons. okay. especially i think at this stage, but some expert speculation. so we thank you for that. taking your questions regarding today's the incidents on the front. se scott, at key bridge in baltimore, youtube dot com,

forward slash dw news. let's go to the next question. so is there any bridge in the world that could take the same hate and remain a standing that sounds like a one for you? a professor as easy to me? i don't believe. i don't believe you can just it'd be dog those protection protection sells. that'd be have to build if it doesn't have that, any type of supports if it's here, but this, this is the dismissal. it was probably a close to a $100000.00 tub. and so it's a massive, massive weight and it, and then you, you, you take into account the, the velocity, the reach it is traveling. and then the, the, the, the, the pressure that's exerted by the water. you add those things together. you're talking about the meals, meals, of a pounds of the forces, and we don't design,

we don't design to pete for that. we design the protection elements for it. so there is no, no, there is not such a bridge that without any picture the enemy attempt take such a large, massive force as this one. okay. uh that question. coming into us that here at uh dw, from a zack stephan same and uh, is anybody say anything at this stage about maintenance of this particular bit of important infrastructure about in baltimore. this yeah, it wasn't flagged. so every year, um, specific authorities go to bridges all over the country here and, and an issue and report about how, how in what shape they are, if they're in good shape or if they needs to be repairs done. is that, or is that dra, apparently this bridge wasn't good structural condition. it is compared to all the bridges, wherever in the united states and other infrastructure. actually not that old. as the professor pointed out, it was built in 19 seventies. and here's where bridges were billed and the 19

fifties and maybe there are more of a concern then their front, if, if 50 francis got to break ships. but no, there was no reports of that. there was anything wrong with the bridge. i think the professors, they own a good on a good path. you know this, this a ship had a capacity. it has a capacity to, to carry 10000 to use what is to use. that's a 24 equivalent units. that is the name for those containers on the ship at point of collision with the bridge where a $4679.00, t use or container. so that is a lot of weight. and again, with speed and water pressure and all of that it hits the bridge. i. i'm not sure that anybody would ever tell you that any bridge could with a stand dead or something similar like this. the bridge was in fine condition as of now, as we hear and is we heard from federal and local authorities. okay. you're watching

um ask dw on the d w. a news on youtube, youtube dot com, forward slash d. w. news for your comments and questions regarding today's events on the funds this scott key, bridge professor as easy may need to talk as to what is likely to happen now as part of the investigation into what happened. and i think, i think there, there is going to be several components in the us when there is an accident related to the bridge. national transportation safety board gets involved. usually that investigation takes more than a couple of years. others and the and then they look at all the evidences and then they, they issue a report. they explained to the what they think was the cause of the, of the accident. and then they also make the recommend the recommendation. uh uh

they will also, i think they're gonna look at uh, i, like i said, i really don't believe this has anything to do with the condition of the bridge, whether the bridge was inspected correctly or if there was any problem with this structural uh, capacity or the elements of the bridge it has nothing to do with that. i don't think so. this is i think that they're going to look at the right to see that if i believe they're going to the cost sense, right? probably on the how the bridge p as the protect it with is david upgraded because this page was designed in the back in the early 19 seventy's and our governing a specification, the walls and the, the forces that we have to design to. of course they can limited changes, so they're gonna look at that. and then they're gonna, they're going to, i think they're going to come up with some recommendations that's going to affect

the existing bridges. that'd be have the to make sure that such an accident doesn't, doesn't happen again, but it's going to take a couple of years. i don't believe it's going to your thing resolved. no, my of that over the weeks or so. the song inclusion, usually national transportation safety board, if they see something that can be concluded right, the way they view or why the dream reports, if they feel like there's a safety issue that we can come right in. okay, we're going to come back to that point. let's take another question to us the, uh, the uh right now the, uh, just put the questions and comments in the comments box down below. the exact, loveless, has that got in touch. the said was that a mouth function with the call go ship? what's being said a 2nd as well? yeah. and there was a malfunction. uh it is said that the, uh, and that is, comes from the president's mouth. so, and he's not going to announce this. if he hasn't checked with the equivalent

people on site and on the ship and with the ship pencil on it, there wasn't malfunction, they move function, the ship lost power a couple of times. and there's a can see this on some video floating around. and maybe we have that too. before the bridge collapses, you can see that the, this, the, the lights flickering on the, on the ship again. so for what reason that is still to be determined. we don't know that why it lost power about it is determined, the ship lost power and a golf course. just as a reminder, you know, this ship is not there, isn't. this sounds silly, but there's 2 pilots of a 2 pilots on board board and 222 crew those 2 pilots. this is their job to get the ship actually and one piece out of the harbor, out of the port, and not damage around it to a bridge. and there is no indication that the they did this willingly or, or purposefully, of course not. so it was an accident and the ship lost power. why for regular,

for what reason? the power was last. we have don't have any answer on this yet. ok, thanks very much for that question to us here at ask a d w. let's take you your next question. just put them down there in the comments . so next question coming up. so one more regulations and minimum stands, it's help avoid a such a disaster as that professor as easy meaning. what do you think? i've, i think the from, again, from that folder that i have seen, douglas, take it back into 2018. i believe those structures that they're supposed to protect the piano was not this one other thing is that for example, is that why being said politically, what obviously in the run up to a presidential election, i'm know what appears to be a baking political capital out of that this out, the mind which i suppose is

a good thing. it's yeah, it is fair, but it's not a unlikely because guess what? it's still again, a reminder, a search and rescue operation there still 6 people rescuers are looking for um and only if you're a sarcastic you say, okay, they're just now looking for 6 parties. because the truth is also that the water temperatures are really not designed at the moments to support life for a substantial amount of time. so however, it's a search and rescue operation. it's just hours after this happens. i don't think that anybody will come up today and we'll try to, to gain political capital out of a spot. of course, what we know from the president who held the speech a little address. uh, just in about half an hour before we went on with this program is that he said that he will ask congress, you know, congress, the house of,

of representatives and the senate. those are the people who held the person who is proof of the money for anything. the executive, the president will wants to spend. he will ask congress to foot the bill, basically to rebuild this branch, which will take years and years and which will be at least a 1000000 if not, maybe billions of dollars to do this, to the standards we have in 2024. now a bought, he said he will do everything you can so that the government will for this bill, as he says it was just a tragic accident. also guaranteed. and that all the federal resources are now at hand for the governor in maryland and for the mayor in baltimore. and for all people impact the ban. let me say something about impact and that is also why he is going there. and of course, this is a, a press, a central thing to do when, when you have an incident like this as a present and you're kind of expect to read the show presence to be there, to own this situation and to calm people and to, to give them, well,

basically hope and, and vision and forward looking, you know, there is a 10 to 30000 cars, new cars come through this port every year. so this is a, is a economic magnitude tier which we're also have to consider. right? 15000 jobs are impacted by this bridge. now being in the water and blocking. actually all, all travel see travel, not just car travel across the across the bridge, but also ships to go into the port or leave the port. right? so i have to clear this, this shipping lane fairly quickly if they want to avoid the damage economic damage . and that is what, of course, the president will and has emphasized this is what he is gonna make his focus. now it's about the people, the rescue, the search right now, but in a couple of days it will all be about looking forward and how to rectify the situation. okay, tell you about this stuff and stuff and as humans is report to in washington, we also have with us that professor asked about that as

a meaning who from the florida international university, who is a bridge expert taking your comments and your questions on the dw dot com, forward slash dw at news, excuse me, youtube dot com, forward slash the w and use this like ibex the question that called the location of the collision posed a significant a national security issue. um, do you wanna pick that up uh, stuff on. so yeah, let me, um, i don't think that's a national security issue in terms of i mean, in the early, at our asked of this, their speculation was referenced, this was maybe intentional, a terrorist attack, but i think that's ruled out completely f b i another law enforcement authorities have ruled this out so far, accident the tragic, but again the, the impact on, on, on economy, on regional economy and to the nation. again, baltimore is a huge port is a lot of,

lot of goods coming in and out of this port. it's immense. it's, it's significant and that is, it has an impact and politicians, experts, economists and everybody else. you wouldn't need the average person in america if uh, what are your pain about his thoughts costing more or your car. and they are already very expensive in the united states. then it's because, well maybe because this purchase now in the water and is blocking the the ferry way here to the port. so that has an impact for sure. okay, thank you for that. let's take uh, next question to ask a d w. here it is anywhere without batteries. so it was the ship traveling under the speed limit for such a busy airport area. what do you think, professor as easy and the many with speed to factor i my opinion is that the good? what seemed like it was in the traveling, the very fast, i think, again,

it's more related to more related to the reflection structure. destro. that'd be not on the, on the peeve which was minimal to me in my opinion. right. and just just clue as seeing how this works and the shipping into and out of a forward. you said there are 2 pilots on on board i'm i'm so presuming that all speed limits in these areas are you asking me or i guess what you were the one who, who mentioned the pilot? so i was wondering if you, if you knew any more about that. i know though i do, but the man that's very nice. now from, from my, from what i know usually this kind of shapes when they go into the harbor. i think there is a law called person that takes over and navigates until they are the policies i believe. okay, thank you. that's like the next question then to ask being very comes so

is the shipping company going to face any consequences? what's being said, stephan simmons. very interesting, chris. and that was actually a question which was supposed to the president at is a little press conference he gave there before he took off now to baltimore, and he didn't answer it to because of course, that's a legitimate question. right, so the present is promising a baltimore in maryland to, to rebuild the bridge and to foot the bill that some tax payers money which has to come from somewhere. um, well, if it was again a shipped uh which costs those have arkansas how, how is the responsibility divided there um, other than the books for or some compensation to the government to the united states? that's a good question. very good, very interesting. something to look at for me and for others, and we'll keep you posted, but there is no answer on this the. okay, thank you for that professor as easy to meet. yeah, you talked about

a couple of years for an investigation. in the meantime, does the bridge remain closed? oh, of course, of course, i mean it's going up. i mean, multi expand is going. so there is the, there's no way to afford that bridge to, to function. so i think it's gonna remain close. but i think from what it was said is that they're gonna try to, they're gonna start right away apparently to try to build the bridge. now there are some technology that on mondays that you can build. you can build, bridge that fast as it doesn't mean that the top construction time is going to change much. but i think prefabricated, prefabricated bridge elements, for example, what we call the actual the data of visual instruction. there are technologies out there that that, that can help. the other thing is that then you build a bridge, you know, there's a lots of tasks. betsy was involved lucky if you are

a mental impact analysis, giving impairment and things like that in that this is the image is the case. so and the fact that the federal government hasn't got involved and the president has made a comment that the federal government is going to pay the entire cost. this. is it a very a, the full called the national points. i think it's all the agencies that are involved in building the bridge. they're gonna work collaboratively in a puddle or process. and i think that they're gonna try to build the new bridge paolo, to the investigation that is going on. i don't believe they're going to wait until the national transportation safety board finish it's investigation and give it a recommendation before they start the new thing, the new bridge. so i think that kind of goal impala. okay. stuff in the same and so i picked that up for us a if you would 2 years. obviously.