The FBI has initiated a criminal probe into the events surrounding the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, triggered by a collision with the cargo ship Dali.
According to the Washington Post, the probe was initiated following revelations from senior law enforcement officials that the disaster might have been more than just an accident.
According to reports, the 985-foot Singapore-flagged cargo vessel struck critical support of the bridge in the early hours of March 26, causing a large section of the structure to fall into the Patapsco River.
The disaster was recorded live. Investigators noted that just before the collision, the ship’s lights went off and then flickered back on, and black smoke was seen billowing from its chimney.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DoJ) stated on Monday, April 15th, that the “FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity.”
In response to the bridge’s collapse, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced the city’s intention to undertake legal measures against those deemed responsible.
“The City of Baltimore will take decisive action to hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy, including the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as any other potentially liable third parties,” Mayor Scott asserted.
The FBI inquiry is distinct from the ongoing investigation conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The Dali collision caused immediate physical damage and significant disruptions to local and regional transport networks, spotlighting the bridge’s pivotal role in northeastern United States commerce.
The aftermath saw emergency responses and ongoing recovery operations, with two individuals rescued from the river while six others were reported missing.
Eventually, three bodies were recovered, with the remaining three presumed deceased.
A collaborative salvage operation involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Navy, the Coast Guard, and Maryland authorities remains underway to retrieve portions of the bridge and locate the remaining victims.
The investigators have successfully retrieved the data recorder from the Dali vessel, which they anticipate will shed light on the severe power failure that led to its deviation from course and subsequent collision with the bridge.
Authorities have disclosed that the vessel was traveling at eight knots, equivalent to approximately 9 miles per hour.
Jennifer Homandy, head of the NTSB, has indicated that one aspect being scrutinized is whether contaminated fuel contributed to the vessel’s power failure.
President Joe Biden has reassured the public of the federal government’s commitment to expedite rebuilding.
