Baltimore City has taken legal action against parties believed to be responsible for the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the deaths of six construction workers. Additionally, the FBI has opened an investigation into the incident, aiming to determine the factors leading to the disaster.

The bridge collapsed nearly three weeks ago when a malfunctioning cargo ship struck its support column in the early morning hours of March 26. Eight construction workers were plunged into the Patapsco River below, resulting in the loss of six lives. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has announced that the city has partnered with two prominent trial law firms to pursue legal action against those accountable, including the ship's owner, charterer, operator, and manufacturer.

The aim of this legal effort is to alleviate both the immediate and long-term harm caused to the residents of Baltimore, particularly the families of the victims, port workers, and individuals who relied on the bridge for their daily commute. The specific amount of damages sought by the city has not yet been disclosed.

Mayor Scott emphasized the city's commitment to supporting all those affected by the tragedy and the need to hold potentially responsible parties accountable. He expressed concern over the ship's owner filing a petition to limit liability shortly after the incident occurred, stating that swift action is necessary to safeguard the city's interests.

The cargo ship involved in the collision, the Dali, is owned by Grace Ocean Private, a Singapore-based company specializing in water transportation services. It is managed by Synergy Marine Group, another Singapore-based charter vessel company with a fleet of over 660 ships under its technical management.

Anticipating potential lawsuits, both Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine Group took measures, around a week after the collapse, to limit their liability for the crash. In a preemptive filing to the U.S. District Court in Baltimore, the companies invoked the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, which allows shipowners to restrict their payment obligations to an amount equivalent to the value of the ship. The filing stated that the estimated pending freight at the time of the incident was valued at $1.17 million.

The ship, chartered by Danish shipping giant Maersk during the incident, is now under investigation by federal law enforcement authorities. The FBI has confirmed the presence of agents on the Dali, which remains at the accident site, but provided no further information regarding their activities.

Maryland's U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI are jointly conducting the investigation into the Key Bridge collapse. While details remain scant, the U.S. Attorney in Maryland, Erek Barron, asserted their commitment to ensuring accountability for anyone found responsible.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), conducting a separate investigation, is focusing on the ship's electrical system as a potential contributing factor to the crash. The NTSB has identified Hyundai as the manufacturer of the ship's power and brake system and expects to release a preliminary report by the first week of May. Interviews with the ship's crew, analysis of the voyage data recorder, and assessment of the bridge's design are also part of their inquiry.

Salvage operations are ongoing, with dozens of containers being removed from the Dali cargo ship. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leading the effort, aims to clear the Fort McHenry Channel to restore operations at the Port of Baltimore. Removing these containers is crucial to refloating the ship, which currently carries tons of mangled steel on its bow. Two temporary passageways have been created for smaller vessels, while a deeper channel is set to open this month, allowing most ships to enter the port.

The collapse occurred while the construction workers were repairing potholes on the bridge, leading to their tragic accident and subsequent loss of life.