Tragedy struck in Baltimore when a ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, killing six construction workers and causing immense damage. However, justice has been served as the owner and operator of the ship have agreed to pay a $100m settlement to the US government.
The US justice department announced that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the corporations behind the ship, will settle the lawsuit over the bridge collapse. The lawsuit claimed that the ship’s electrical problems were ignored, leading to the tragic incident.
The victims’ families, predominantly Latino immigrants, have called for stronger worker protections in light of the tragedy. The federal government had to clean up the debris and provide temporary channels to clear the waterway. However, the settlement does not cover the costs of rebuilding the bridge, as the state of Maryland is seeking claims for damages.
While the tragedy was avoidable, the settlement ensures that the responsible parties pay for their negligence. The rebuilding process is estimated to be completed by fall 2028.
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