Justice Department files lawsuit over Baltimore bridge collapse, seeking cleanup costs | Wilnesh News

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday indicted the owner and manager of the cargo ship responsible for the incident. Baltimore bridge collapseseeking to recover more than $100 million the government spent to remove underwater debris and reopen the city’s port.

A lawsuit filed in Maryland alleges that electrical and mechanical systems on board the Dali Improper maintenancecausing it to lose power and veer off course before hitting a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.

“This tragedy was completely avoidable,” the lawsuit states.

In the months leading up to the channel’s collapse, commercial shipping traffic at the Port of Baltimore was in disarray. Fully opened in June.

“Through this civil claim, the Department of Justice is working to ensure that the costs of cleaning up the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the companies that caused the accident, not American taxpayers,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Written Statement.

The case targets Dali’s owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and management company Synergy Marine Group, both from Singapore. Days after the collapse, the companies filed a petition in court seeking limit their legal liability It could become the most expensive maritime casualty case in history.

The ship was leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka when it lost steering due to a power outage. Six road construction workers on the bridge died in the collapse. Workers were working a night shift filling potholes in the bridge when the bridge collapsed beneath their feet, sending them plunging into the water.

“This accident occurred due to the careless and grossly negligent decision made by Grace Ocean and Synergy, who recklessly chose to send an unseaworthy vessel on a critical waterway without regard to the impact on American lives and the country. Risks from Infrastructure,” Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General.

On Tuesday, the families of the victims stated their intentions File a claim that holds the shipowner and manager fully responsible for the disaster. Some Other interested partiesCompanies including city officials and local businesses have filed objections to the claims, accusing the companies of negligence.

The families are also calling for stronger workplace protections, especially for immigrant workers. All of the victims were Latino immigrants who came to the United States in search of better-paying jobs and opportunities.