The FBI has reportedly opened a criminal probe in connection to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck last month by a large container ship.
On Monday morning, three boats pulled up to the Dali, and federal agents appeared to board the stranded ship to conduct a search, according to The Washington Post, which first reported the probe.
The FBI confirmed with The Post that agents were on the ship.
The probe will reportedly in part focus on whether the ship crew left the port in the early hours of March 26 knowing the vessel had serious systems problems, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told the newspaper.
Six bridge workers were killed in the accident.
Authorities are reviewing events that preceded the Dali, a 985-foot Singapore-flagged ship, lost power leaving the Port of Baltimore and slammed into one of the bridge’s support pillars, said the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing probe.
“The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity,” the agency told the newspaper without providing additional public information.
The newspaper said owner and operator of the ship and attorneys representing them did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment.
Related Story: Container Ship Slams Baltimore’s Key Bridge, Officials Say Vessel Lost Power Just Before Impact
