NEW: FBI opens up criminal investigation into Key Bridge collapse

The FBI has opened up a criminal investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland after a boat crashed into it last month.

Authorities are reviewing the events leading up to the crash of the boat and the subsequent collapse of the bridge early in the morning on March 26, the Washington Post reports. The boat reportedly lost power briefly before veering one of the bridge's support, sending the bridge cascading into the water below. Six lives were lost.  

On Monday, federal agents boarded the crashed boat to conduct a search. Agents wore yellow and orange life jackets as they boarded the Dali, standing where it had been since the crash. The FBI confirmed that it had agents on the ship conducting the investigation.  

“The FBI is present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court authorized law enforcement activity,” the agency wrote in a statement. The agency did not add additional comments.

US attorney for Maryland Erek L. Barron said in a statement, “My office generally will not confirm the existence of or otherwise comment about investigations.”

“However, the public should know, whether it’s gun violence, civil rights abuse, financial fraud, or any other threat to public safety or property, we will seek accountability for anyone who may be responsible," he added. 

The early morning crash during March took the lives of six members of an overnight repair crew that was filling potholes on the bridge at the time of the crash.

The Dali is owned by Grace Ocean Pte Ltd. and is under the management of the Singaporean company Synergy Marine Group. Maersk was in charge of chartering the ship at the time of the incident. 

Leading up to the event, Maersk halted all shipments in the Red Sea channel in December 2023. The cargo ship was headed to Sri Lanka from Baltimore.