FBI opens criminal probe in Baltimore bridge collapse; fourth body recovered

NEW DELHI: The FBI has initiated a criminal investigation into the tragic collapse of a bridge in Baltimore that occurred in March, following a collision with a ship. Local authorities confirmed the recovery of a fourth body from the incident.
FBI agents boarded the cargo ship Dali for authorized law enforcement activities related to the crash, as stated by an FBI spokesperson.The Key Bridge Unified Command announced the discovery of the fourth victim’s body on Monday. Divers identified a construction vehicle, inside of which they found the body. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed at the family’s request.
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge into the Patapsco River on March 26 claimed the lives of six individuals who were working on the bridge at the time of the accident. The investigation will delve into whether the crew of the Dali was aware of any significant issues with the ship’s systems before departing the port, according to the Washington Post.
Safety investigators have retrieved the ship’s “black box” recorder, which contains crucial data such as position, speed, radar information, and bridge audio.
Baltimore officials have engaged two law firms for potential legal action against the ship’s owner, charterer, and operator. The vessel, flying the flag of Singapore, is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, managed by Synergy Marine Group, and chartered by Maersk. The National Transportation Safety Board informed Congress that interviews with key crew members have been conducted as part of the probe.
Efforts to clear the wreckage and restore traffic in the Baltimore port are ongoing. It is expected that constructing a new bridge will be a lengthy process, with temporary channels set up to facilitate the movement of certain vessels.
When the incident occurred, the Dali was departing Baltimore bound for Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a crew of 21 and two pilots. This is not the first time the ship has been involved in an accident, having collided with a quay in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.
Inspections in Chile revealed propulsion and machinery deficiencies in June 2023. Despite this, the vessel passed inspections in foreign ports last year, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
The investigation into the bridge collapse remains a top priority as authorities work to determine the causes of this tragic event and prevent such incidents in the future.