FBI Launches Criminal Probe into Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Was Ship Crew Aware of Systems Issues?
The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the container ship that collided with a major road bridge in Baltimore last month, resulting in the bridge's collapse and the death of six people.
Two unnamed US officials revealed that the investigation will examine whether the ship's crew was aware of any serious systems issues before departing from the port.
The FBI confirmed their agents are on board the Singapore-flagged Dali container ship, which is stuck under the destroyed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore since March 26.
The FBI is conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity on the ship, but no further information is available.
The bridge, a significant transit route, was damaged when the Dali lost power and collided with a support column.
A ship issued a Mayday call before a collision, allowing authorities to clear traffic on the bridge and potentially save lives.
However, an eight-person construction crew repairing potholes on the bridge could not be reached in time and fell into the water along with tons of concrete and steel.
Two workers were rescued alive, but two bodies have been recovered, and four are still missing, presumed trapped under the wreckage.