FBI begins criminal investigation into Baltimore bridge collapse: Report

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is carrying out a criminal probe into the deadly collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, US-based media outlets reported citing sources.

The investigation will be focused on the circumstances that led up to the accident. FBI will also check whether or not all federal laws were followed on the March 26 bridge collapse in Maryland.

The Washington Post reported that the probe will at least partly focus on the Dali cargo ship. It will assess whether the crew left the port in Baltimore knowing the ship had serious problems with its systems.

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Media reports also mentioned that the FBI was present aboard the cargo ship Dali conducting court-authorised law enforcement activity.

The tragic incident happened when a cargo ship lost power and collided with the bridge in the early hours of March 26 when eight people were working on it.

It collapsed, killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge. The bodies of three of the men have yet to be recovered from the Patapsco River whiletwo survived.

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Presently, the work is underway to clear the wreckage and restore traffic through the Mid-Atlantic state's shipping channel.

Last week, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said that investigators are focusing on the electrical power system of the massive container ship.

The ship experienced power issues and veered off course moments before the crash, as evidenced in videos showing its lights going out and coming back on.

Homendy further noted that the information they received from the vessel's voyage data recorder is relatively basic. Hence, the information in the "engine room will help us tremendously".

Baltimore also released a statement on Monday, stating that the city "will take decisive action to hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy, including the owner, charterer, manager/operator, and the manufacturer of the M/V Dali, as well as any other potentially liable third parties."

(With inputs from agencies)