The U.S. Department of Justice has taken legal action against the owner and operator of the cargo ship responsible for the bridge collapse in Baltimore, seeking over $100 million to cover the costs of clearing debris from the water and reopening the city’s port. The lawsuit, filed in Maryland, claims that the malfunctioning electrical and mechanical systems aboard the Dali caused it to lose power and collide with a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March. According to the lawsuit, the incident could have been prevented.
The bridge collapse disrupted commercial shipping at the Port of Baltimore for months until the channel was fully operational again in June. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the government is pursuing this civil claim to hold the responsible companies, Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group of Singapore, financially accountable for the crash instead of burdening taxpayers.
The Dali was en route from Baltimore to Sri Lanka when its steering failed due to power loss, leading to the tragic collapse of the bridge that claimed the lives of six road workers. The workers, who were filling potholes on the bridge, fell into the water when the structure collapsed beneath them. The Justice Department stated that the accident resulted from negligent decisions made by Grace Ocean and Synergy, who they accused of sending an unfit vessel through a critical waterway without regard for the risks to American lives and infrastructure.
In response to the disaster, the families of the victims have announced their intention to seek full accountability from the ship’s owner and operator. Additionally, various stakeholders, including city officials and local businesses, have filed counterclaims alleging negligence on the part of the companies. The families of the victims, who were Latino immigrants seeking better job opportunities in the United States, are advocating for enhanced workplace protections, particularly for immigrant workers.
Richer reported from Washington.
