Baltmore authorities say cargo ship Dali's owners should be held responsible for Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Baltimore authorities have clearly stated that the owners of the cargo ship Dali should be held responsible for last month's crash and subsequent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a new court filing, reports Fox News.

The deadly crash claimed the lives of six people who were working on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

The accident has temporarily closed the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest and busiest on the East Coast of the U.S. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

The city accused parent company Grace Ocean Private Ltd for the accident

According to court papers filed on Monday, April 23, Baltimore is pointing fingers at parent company, Grace Ocean Private Ltd., of gross and potentially criminal negligence when it put an "unseaworthy vessel" into the water on March 26, just moments before it crashed into a structure supporting the bridge and causing it to topple.

The city said the water transportation services company should be held fully liable for the collapse.

What did the filing say?

"For all intents and purposes, Petitioner's negligence caused them to destroy the Key Bridge, and single-handedly destroy the Port of Baltimore, a source of jobs, municipal revenue and no small amount of pride for the city of Baltimore and its residents," the city's filing reads.

The Dali owners filed their own lawsuit

This new development comes to light after the Dali owners sought to limit their own liability.

Earlier this month, Grace Ocean Private Ltd filed its own federal lawsuit seeking to limit the financial payout that they could be held liable for. The company is seeking to limit that liability cost to just $43.7 million, a figure far smaller than the billions of dollars expected in costs to clear the Baltimore Port and construct a new bridge.

In the city’s new filing, they allege the Dali continued its departure despite multiple warning signs. The ship ultimately lost power just moments before crashing into the bridge.

Baltimore mayor previously said he would be taking legal steps

On April 15, Mayor Brandon Scott announced that the City of Baltimore would be taking legal steps to "proactively and aggressively" address the Key Bridge collapse and the impact the collapse has had on the City of Baltimore and its residents.

"The tragedy has resulted not only in a devastating loss of life, but significant economic hardship to businesses and employees who rely upon the Port of Baltimore for revenue and wages, and to the City itself," the mayor’s office said.

"This unthinkable tragedy has taken Marylanders from their loved ones, and risked the livelihoods of thousands of Baltimoreans who rely on the Port of Baltimore," Scott added.

"We are continuing to do everything in our power to support everyone impacted here and will continue to recognize the human impact this event has had. Part of that work needs to be seeking recourse from those who may potentially be responsible, and with the ship’s owner filing a petition to limit its liability mere days after the incident, we need to act equally as quickly to protect the City’s interests," he further noted.

The city solicitor also echoed similar sentiments

"It is time to hold the M/V Dali’s owner, charterer, manager/operator, manufacturer, and others accountable for the City’s substantial and ongoing economic losses arising from this tragedy, as well as for the unimaginable distress they have caused to the City’s residents, businesses, workers, and their families," Ebony M Thompson said.

Internet reacts after the new court filing by Baltimore authorities

Internet also reacted after Baltimore authorities accused the owners of the Dali cargo ship for last month's devastating incident. Commenting in favor of the owners, one user tweeted, "This is not right it's an accident." Another reminded, "The City of Baltimore has said that the owner of the cargo ship that brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge last month is directly responsible for the accident and should not be allowed to avoid legal liability." 

"It's reassuring to know that the City of Baltimore is holding those responsible for such incidents to account. Accountability is key in ensuring that such unfortunate events are prevented in future. It's a strong step towards maintaining the safety of our infrastructure," one user opined. 

"I think the evidence in the picture is pretty definitive," tweeted one and another wrote, "Dude he's def. Got a big bill to pay," seemingly referring to the owners. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

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