'Nation has your back': Biden says as he visits Baltimore after bridge collapse

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden on Friday took an aerial tour of the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the state of Maryland, which collapsed last week after it was struck by a cargo ship.

"I'm here to say your nation has your back," Biden said during his remarks at the reopening of the port of Baltimore. "We're going to move heaven and earth to rebuild this bridge as rapidly, as humanly possible."

"My administration is committed absolutely committed to ensuring that the parties responsible for this strategy pay to repair the damage and be held accountable to the fullest extent the law will allow," he said.

"But (I) also want to be clear. We will support Maryland and Baltimore every step of the way to help you rebuild and maintain all the business and commerce that's here now," he added.

The ship carrying nearly 4,700 containers struck the bridge last week on Tuesday morning leaving six people dead. The collapse of the structure brought traffic to a halt at one of the busiest ports in the US.

The Biden Administration has approved $60 million in federal funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, with the US Department of Transportation on Thursday authorizing the funding to begin emergency reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The entire cost of the project is expected to reach $2 billion.

"No one will ever forget the shocking images of a container vessel striking the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its collapse and the tragic loss of six people," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "The federal emergency funds we’re releasing today will help Maryland begin urgent work, to be followed by further resources as recovery and rebuilding efforts progress."