Baltimore, Maryland – The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the container ship incident that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month. The focus of the investigation revolves around whether the ship’s crew departed the Port of Baltimore despite knowing about serious system issues on board.
Authorities are examining the events leading up to the moment when the 985-foot Singapore-flagged ship, known as Dali, lost power as it departed the port and collided with one of the bridge’s support pillars. Federal agents were seen boarding the ship on Monday morning to conduct a search, adding to the intensifying scrutiny surrounding the incident.
The FBI confirmed their presence onboard the Dali in a statement on Monday morning. The agency stated that they were conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity on the ship. Meanwhile, the owner and operator of the vessel, along with their legal representatives, have yet to offer a comment on the ongoing investigation.
The devastating pre-dawn crash on March 26 resulted in the collapse of the Key Bridge, where several workers were present to carry out repairs. Tragically, six members of the repair crew fell into the water and lost their lives, while two survived the harrowing ordeal. The incident has sparked both a criminal investigation by the FBI and a separate probe by the National Transportation Safety Board to identify the cause of the crash and assess overall safety measures.
President Biden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have both pledged to hold any parties accountable if found liable for the destruction of the bridge. As the investigation continues to unfold, the public remains eager for answers and justice for the victims of the tragic bridge collapse in Baltimore.