Criminal Charges Filed in Deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore

(Mark Schiefelbein/AP photo)

Criminal charges have been filed in the deadly 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. and a subsidiary, Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd., were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday, just over two years after the Dali container ship collided with the bridge, causing it to collapse.

Six workers, who were on the bridge for maintenance work at the time of the crash, were killed.

In addition, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, a 47-year-old Indian national who was serving as technical superintendent for the ship, was also charged, according to the Associated Press.

Nair and the shipping firms were all charged with conspiracy, willfully failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and providing false statements.

An NTSB probe completed last year found that the Dali was hit by a pair of electrical blackouts moments before the collision. They were caused by a loose wire and a fuel pump that was improperly installed.

The six workers were all in vehicles at the time of the collapse, and died after they plunged into the water below.

This is a developing story and has been updated.

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