FBI Opens Criminal Investigation into Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Report

The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

The investigation focuses on the circumstances leading to the incident and whether all federal laws were followed by the crew of the vessel responsible.

ABC News quotes a source which says the agency is investigating possible criminal misconduct, focusing on whether crew members were aware of any problems the ship may have had before leaving port.

The report appears to suggest some concern about possible negligence when on March 26 the huge Dali container ship lost power and hit a support column of the bridge, causing it to collapse.

The tragic event resulted in the deaths of six workers.

RELATED: A huge amount of money is lost due to the collapse of the Baltimore Bridge

FBI now investigating the Baltimore Bridge collapse

This investigation is separate from the National Transportation Safety Board investigation. The NTSB mainly investigates How the ship lost power and collided with the bridge.

The FBI was present aboard the freighter Dali and conducted court-approved law enforcement activities. The agency has not commented further on the investigation.

🚨 #BREAK: FBI OPENS CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO BALTIMORE BRIDGE RAID

The investigation will reportedly examine, in part, whether the crew left port knowing the ship was experiencing “serious system problems,” two U.S. officials said.
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— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 15, 2024

The daily email indicates that the crew remains on board when FBI agents arrived at the ship earlier today.

They are reportedly investigating “whether the 22-person crew of the Dali knew there were serious systemic problems before leaving the Port of Maryland.”

There are no indications that the criminal investigation into the bridge collapse in Baltimore involves crew intent. There is also no indication that they are investigating hacking into the ship’s systems.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is also calling on third-party companies to “hold all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy.”

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Impact of the bridge collapse

The Port of Baltimore, where the bridge is located, is a major commuter port. It is one of the busiest in the United States.

Early reports suggested that the collapse would result in nearly $15 million in daily economic activity being lost as a result of the incident.

Rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge after its collapse could take anywhere from 18 months to several years.

The cost of reconstruction is estimated at at least $400 million, but could be more than double that.

The timeline and costs depend on several factors. These factors include the design of the new bridge, the efficiency of government officials in navigating the bureaucracy of approving permits and awarding contracts, and the speed at which debris is removed and the channel cleared so that maritime traffic can resume .

President Biden visited the site of the bridge collapse in early April and said taxpayers would foot the bill.

During his visit, Biden said his “intent is for the federal government to pay the full cost of rebuilding that bridge.”

According to the Daily Mail, the criminal investigation will be overseen by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Maryland.

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