Container ship Dali struck a support tower of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has opened an investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month.
The bridge collapsed after a support tower was struck by the container ship Dali, causing the bridge to fall into the Patapsco River on March 26.
“The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity,” a spokesperson for the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office told The Epoch Times in an email. “There is no other public information available and we will have no further comment.”
The FBI’s statement and other media reports strongly indicate the agency has begun investigating the incident as being criminal in nature. The FBI is reportedly looking into whether or not the crew left the port while aware of major issues with the vessel, according to The Washington Post.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also announced Monday that the city is now “taking legal steps” to “proactively and aggressively” address the “catastrophic” impact the bridge collapse has had on the city, its residents, families of victims, business owners, longshoremen and other Port of Baltimore workers.
This includes partnering with legal firms to hold entities accountable such as the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as “any other potentially liable third parties.”
Investigations
While the FBI is now conducting an investigation into the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also has an open investigation into the incident.
NTSB information thus far shows that the nearly 1,000-foot-long Singaporian flagged vessel lost power before striking the bridge, leading to the collapse and damage to the vessel.
Portions of the bridge that fell onto the vessel and in the river are still being removed from the river, as crews work to reopen the major shipping channel.
The NTSB reports that no pollution has been reported currently, although several of the containers on the ship were carrying hazardous materials. The agency thus far estimates the damage to the bridge and vessel to “exceed $500,000.”
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