FBI boards cargo ship that struck Baltimore Key Bridge amidst reports of investigation

Agents with the FBI boarded the Dali on Monday, the cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and triggered its collapse last month, amidst reports that it has opened a criminal probe into the events leading up to the collapse.

The agency has opened a criminal investigation into the bridge’s collapse that will focus on whether the crew of the ship, named the Dali, knew that its systems had issues when it left port, the Washington Post reported and CNN on Monday.

The FBI declined to answer questions on a possible investigation, but told USA TODAY, “The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity. There is no other public information available and we will have no further comment.”

In an aerial view, salvage crews continue to remove wreckage from the cargo ship Dali after it stuck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Baltimore Harbor on April 09, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Unified Command has started removing containers from the Dali while also working to clear the channel to restore the flow of commerce to the Port of Baltimore. The bridge collapsed after being struck by the 984-foot cargo ship Dali at 1:30 AM on March 26.

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Three boats pulled alongside the Dali and several people wearing orange and yellow vests boarded the boat around 6:50 a.m. on Monday morning, followed by another group of people wearing dark clothing that arrived later, the Post reported.

The investigation will also focus on the events leading up to the collapse and whether federal laws and regulations were followed, an anonymous source told the Associated Press.

Erek L. Barron, the U.S. attorney for Maryland, said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY, “My office generally will not confirm the existence of or otherwise comment about investigations. However, the public should know, whether it’s gun violence, civil rights abuse, financial fraud, or any other threat to public safety or property, we will seek accountability for anyone who may be responsible.”

The FBI’s visit to the cargo ship comes after the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board told Congress last week that it interviewed personnel on the cargo ship as part of its own investigation into the crash that collapsed the structure over the Patapsco River, plunging eight workers into its depths. Two workers were rescued while six others died.

Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI boards cargo ship that struck Baltimore Key Bridge amidst reports of investigation