The FBI has launched a criminal investigation into the cargo ship that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last month. Federal agents boarded the 985-foot Dali early Monday with search warrants, collecting physical evidence and data related to the moments before, during, and after the impact. The investigation will focus on whether there was prior crew knowledge of potential mechanical problems that made the ship unsafe in the harbor.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that the city is taking legal action to hold those responsible for the tragedy accountable, including the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the Dali. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship collided into a support pillar of the bridge at 1:28 a.m. on March 26, causing it to snap and tumble into the Patapsco River. Two people were rescued, three bodies were recovered, and three are presumed dead.

President Joe Biden has emphasized the importance of rebuilding the bridge quickly, as the Port of Baltimore is crucial to the Northeast economy. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the collapse. The tragedy has halted cargo shipments in the area and impacted the livelihoods of thousands of workers. The US Army Corps of Engineers plans to reopen the affected channel by the end of May. This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.