Maryland governor calls for ‘full accountability’ in bridge collapse

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) on Wednesday called for “full accountability” following the collapse of the Francis Key Scott Bridge in Baltimore that left six people presumed dead.

Moore said on CNN there “needs to be a full and thorough investigation.”

“What led up to this? What made the ship lose power? What made them lose the ability to be ability to steer the ship? Do we have the right infrastructure that’s in place to be able to protect the people of our state,” he said. “So I think there needs to be a full reckoning, a full accountability, and I think we need to go wherever the investigation takes us to make sure that the people of our jurisdictions are safe.”

A cargo ship hit a bridge support early Tuesday morning after what authorities have described as a possible temporary loss of power, causing the bridge to collapse into the water below.

Moore said he hadn’t heard any information about why the ship may have lost power and that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages, but it’s something “we are all fully committed to making sure that we see through to completion.”

Moore also said on CNN that search and rescue efforts are still underway amid freezing temperatures, and he has spoken with the families of the six missing people and said he “prayed with them, prayed for them.”  

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a similar sentiment, saying on CNN that “to be clear, if any private party is responsible for and accountable for this, that they will be held accountable.” 

He added, “What we know is that we got to tear down every obstacle, physical, financial, and administrative, that means using all the tools that we have as a department, and very likely working with Congress as well.”

“That was the commitment that the president made, and that I made yesterday with Gov. Wes Moore, for we were with him and his leadership team.” 

President Biden on Tuesday said he intends for the federal government to pay to repair the bridge, and he plans to visit the site of the collapse.