FBI opens criminal probe into Baltimore bridge collapse that killed six - US media reports

The FBI has opened a criminal probe into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, according to the Washington Post.

On 26 March, the Dali, a cargo ship, lost power and crashed into one of the supports of the bridge, causing it to collapse.

Video captured the moment the huge structure fell into the river, killing six men – all roadway workers who had been on the bridge at the time.

The criminal investigation will be at least partly focused on the Dali cargo ship and if its crew left port knowing it had serious problems with its systems, the US outlet reports, citing two officials.

Salvage crews have since been trying to clear the wreckage.

The remains of the bridge still lie across the cargo ship, blocking the shipping lane.

Last week, the head of the US National Transportation Safety Board told Congress that it had interviewed key personnel from the cargo ship as part of its investigation.

Following the collapse of the bridge into the Patapsco River, US President Joe Biden toured the area and saw first-hand efforts to clear away the debris.

He greeted police officers who helped block traffic onto the bridge in the moments before the ship struck, and spoke to the families of the victims.

He also promised the state of Maryland that it wouldn’t be left alone.

Mr Biden said: “I’m here to say your nation has your back and I mean it. Your nation has your back.”

The White House previously said that the intention was to open a limited-access channel for some barge container ships by the end of April.

By the end of May they hoped normal capacity will have been restored to Baltimore’s port.

The bodies of three of the six workers who died have been recovered and the other three are presumed dead.

In recent days, authorities have continued to remove containers from onboard the Dali – with 38 removed as of 11 April.

This is described as a “critical step” in the response as the submerged road is broken up and removed as well.

Marine traffic remains severely limited with only 69 ships have passed through since 26 March.

Divers working within the river in the salvage mission face a number of problems as they face huge, twisted steel beams, possible human remains and “hundreds of tons of shattered concrete”.

Rick Benoit, emergency management specialist at the US Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division said: “The response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse is an unusual mission with an uber-extreme work environment of dark, cold water.

“Beneath those waters, divers are moving as if playing an underwater game of Twister and Jenga with hundreds of tons of shattered concrete and twisted steel in complete darkness.