The United States Department of Justice has filed a criminal case against two firms based in Chennai and Singapore, along with an Indian citizen, in connection with the March 2024 cargo ship crash that caused the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge and killed six workers.
The six men were carrying out repair work on the bridge when the Singapore-flagged vessel Dali struck the structure, causing it to collapse into the Patapsco River.
The ship was travelling from Baltimore to Colombo and had a 22-member Indian crew. No crew members were injured in the incident.
Authorities charged Synergy Marine Group, Synergy Maritime, and technical superintendent Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair with conspiracy, wilfully failing to immediately notify the US Coast Guard about a known hazardous condition, obstructing agency proceedings, and making false statements.
Nair was employed by both companies as the vessel’s technical superintendent.
The firms and Nair also face charges related to pollution caused by cargo released into the river following the crash.
According to the indictment, the accident caused economic losses estimated at at least $5 billion.
Investigators said the ship lost power twice within four minutes while leaving the Port of Baltimore, leading to the collision with the bridge.