The FBI has officially launched a criminal probe into the sudden collapse of the Baltimore bridge that killed six construction workers, according to the Daily Mail.
The authorities are expected to investigate whether the 22-member crew of the Dali was aware that there were serious systemic issues with the bridge before departing from the Maryland port on March 26. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also chimed in, saying that outside firms are being brought in to “hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy.”
The Associated Press reported that FBI agents were aboard the cargo ship on Monday to carry out court-authorized law enforcement activity. The government agency declined to comment any further on the investigation.
The development comes just three weeks after footage was shared online showing the 110,000-ton cargo ship smash into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The collision caused the whole bridge to collapse into the river, resulting in the death of six construction workers, per reports.
“This unthinkable tragedy has taken Marylanders from their loved ones, and risked the livelihoods of thousands of Baltimoreans who rely on the Port of Baltimore,” Scott said.
“Part of that work needs to be seeking recourse from those who may potentially be responsible, and with the ship’s owner filing a petition to limit its liability mere days after the incident, we need to act equally as quickly to protect the city’s interest,” he added.
The Daily Mail reported that there is already a federal probe being carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Throughout the first stages of the investigation, the authorities were focused on the electrical power system of the container ship that caused it to veer off course.
The AP reported that the Dali is managed by Synergy Marine Group and owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd., both of which are based out of Singapore. The Danish shipping company Maersk chartered the Dali.
“Due to the magnitude of the incident, there are various government agencies conducting investigations, in which we are fully participating,” Synergy Marine spokesperson Darrell Wilson said on Monday.
“Out of respect for these investigations and any future legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
The investigation comes amid concerns about the safety of thousands of bridges across the U.S.
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