May 12 (UPI) -- The operator of a container ship that collided with and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in 2024 faces federal charges of attempting to defraud the government, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Synergy Marine, which operates as two countries out of Singapore and India, and Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national who worked as the technical superintendent of the ship, were named in the indictment.
Nair and each of the two entities face charges of conspiracy; willfully failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition; obstruction of an agency proceeding; and false statements. The two companies also face misdemeanor charges for violating the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act and Refuse Act for the discharge of pollutants and the contents of the containers during the March 26, 2024 crash.
"The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence," acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. "This indictment is a critical step toward holding accountable those whose reckless disregard for maritime safety regulations caused this disaster.
"Six construction workers lost their lives, critical infrastructure was destroyed, pollutants were released into the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay, and the economic damage now exceeds $5 billion."
