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Article

17 Apr 2024

Author:
Andrea Acosta, Catholic Standard (USA)

The Hispanic workers who died in Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse were dreaming of a better future

As was usual, Salvadoran immigrant Miguel Luna left his home on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. to perform his daily duty of repairing potholes in streets and highways. This time,however, he was not coming home...

The bridge, part of Maryland's Interstate 695 freeway, collapsed at 1:30 a.m. on March 26, when the 900-foot cargo ship “Dali” suddenly lost power and collided with one of the bridge pillars.

“Please, I want my husband to come home,” were the words his wife sent to the press the same day the bridge fell. Miguel is presumed dead, although his remains have not been found and his loved ones do not even have a body over which to pray, weep, and say their last goodbyes.

On the same bridge, at the time of the collision, Honduran native Maynor Suazo Sandoval was working in construction. After 17 years of sacrifices in the United States, he continued working hard, although he had a dream of opening a small business in Baltimore...

Miguel and Maynor's family members cannot close the chapter and are still waiting for their remains. It is very difficult for them to overcome their grief and to talk to the press. Currently, they are coordinating details for holding a religious service to honor and show respect for their memory.

In addition to these two CASA members, four other workers also died in the bridge collapse: Dorlian Cabrera, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Jose Mynor Lopez, and a man not yet identified. Only two bodies have been recovered. Two lucky workers managed to survive. One of them was hospitalized, but has since been sent home...

Construction workers gathered on Good Friday in an activity organized by CASA to offer condolences to those affected, to talk about their work and the risk involved, as well as to pray and give testimony. Six hard hats were placed in a circle in memory of the deceased...

It is worth mentioning that a large part of the team that will rebuild the bridge will be made up of Hispanic labor.

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