In a shocking turn of events, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a criminal investigation into the Baltimore bridge crash and collapse that resulted in the death of six workers and the closure of the Baltimore harbor in April. This incident, which caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge to be downed, has prompted the authorities to question the internal systems of the cargo ship Dali, focusing on potential issues with the power system shutdown that led to the vessel veering off course and crashing into the bridge.
The FBI’s criminal probe aims to determine whether the crew of the Dali was aware of any malfunctioning internal systems before setting sail towards the bridge. According to sources, the investigation will look into whether the crew knowingly left the port despite serious systems problems on board the ship.
As investigations continue, authorities are reviewing the sequence of events that led to the tragic collision between the Dali and one of the Francis Scott Key Bridge’s support pillars. The FBI has remained tight-lipped about the details of the criminal probe, only confirming its presence aboard the cargo ship Dali for court-authorized law enforcement activity.
Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also conducting its own investigation into the incident. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that they are collaborating with Hyundai, the manufacturer of the ship’s engine equipment, to determine what caused the engine room failure that led to the ship losing power and crashing into the bridge.
The NTSB is particularly focused on examining the ship’s power and brake system, working closely with Hyundai to analyze the vessel’s electrical power system and circuit breakers. Preliminary findings suggest that a fault in the electrical system may have been the root cause of the crash, indicated by blinking lights on the ship moments before impact. However, Homendy cautioned that further investigations could unveil different possibilities.
Apart from the FBI and NTSB investigations, experts are also scrutinizing the design of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and its collapse. The goal is to identify improvements that can be made to enhance pier protection and prevent similar incidents in the future. Suggestions include the installation of barriers to ward off ships from reaching the bridge pillars, similar to safety measures implemented on modern bridges.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place for both cargo ships and bridge infrastructure. With lives at stake, it is essential to delve deeper into this issue and take necessary steps to prevent such catastrophes from recurring.
Watch the video of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
