FBI Launches Criminal Probe Into Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse In Baltimore (image-X/Ustazu_)
The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The investigation will focus on whether the crew of the massive container ship, Dali, was aware of the serious system issues before departing from the Port of Baltimore.
Authorities familiar with the matter revealed that federal agents are reviewing the events leading up to the moment when the 985-foot Singapore-flagged vessel lost power while exiting the port, ultimately colliding with one of the bridge’s support pillars, reported The Washington Post.
On Monday morning, federal agents were observed boarding the Dali to conduct a search. The agents wearing yellow or orange life jackets were reportedly seen entering the ship through a lower door and climbing to the ship’s bow, followed by a group wearing dark clothing arriving on a smaller boat. The FBI confirmed its involvement in a statement, emphasizing that its agents were conducting court-authorized law enforcement activities aboard the cargo ship.
While the FBI provided limited information, Erek L. Barron, the US attorney for Maryland, stated that the public should know that “whether it’s gun violence, civil rights abuse, financial fraud, or any other threat to public safety or property, we will seek accountability for anyone who may be responsible,” as quoted by The Washington Post.
The owner and operator of the ship, as well as their legal representatives, have yet to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Notably, the FBI’s criminal investigation is separate from the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) probe, which aims to determine the cause behind the crash and evaluate safety measures to the incident.
President Biden and Maryland Governor Wes Moore have both expressed their commitment to holding accountable any parties found potentially liable for the bridge”s destruction.
On March 26, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a cargo ship crashed into it, claiming the lives of six members of a repair crew who were working on the structure. One of the busiest routes in Baltimore City on the East Coast of the United States, the Key Bridge carried over 12 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023.
