The FBI has opened a criminal probe into last month's deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, according to reports.
The agency is reportedly investigating the moments leading up to the collapse, if all federal laws were followed and whether crew members of the Dali, the cargo ship that slammed into a bridge support after losing power, were aware of any technical problems before leaving port.
The Associated Press, citing a person with knowledge of the situation, reported that "alarms went off on the ship's refrigerated containers while it was still docked in Baltimore, likely indicating an inconsistent power supply." The source said the crew was "aware of the issues" and were told they would "be addressed," according to the report.
The Dali was leaving the Port of Baltimore, destined for Sri Lanka, at around 1:30 a.m. on March 26 when it struck one of the bridge's support columns and it collapsed within a minute. Six construction workers were killed in the collapse.
As the crew headed towards the bridge, they reported a power issue. An unclassified memo issued by CISA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said the ship reported losing propulsion, CBS News reported.
"Two U.S. officials told CBS News multiple alarms rang out on the ship, alerting pilots and crew to an issue on board. The crew ran several system tests to attempt to remedy the loss of propulsion from the motor, but the tests proved unsuccessful. At that point, the ship’s pilots alerted the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Maryland Transit Authority,” said the report. Officials said the alert likely saved lives.
In addition to these efforts, the crew tried to deploy an anchor. By the time it struck the bridge, the more than 900-ft. long ship was traveling at 9 miles per hour, a rapid speed for that type of vessel, according to authorities.
The crash remains under investigation by the National Highway Transportation Safety Board, which is separate from the FBI probe.
Meantime, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott on Monday announced that the city is taking legal steps to "hold the wrongdoers responsible and to mitigate the immediate and long-term harm caused to Baltimore City residents."
"We will bring significant economic and environmental loss claims on behalf of the City of Baltimore and its residents against the M/V Dali's owner, charterer, manager/operator, manufacturer and others, to hold them accountable for causing one of the largest inner-city maritime disasters in U.S. history," Adam Levitt, cofounder of trial firm DiCello Levitt, said in a statement. "We need to hold these entities accountable for the emotional toll and the substantial financial losses that the City of Baltimore and its residents are facing."
The city will also be represented by the Law Department's Chief of Affirmative Litigation, Sara Gross, as well as Philadelphia law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky Trial Lawyers.