The city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit on Monday against the owner and manager of the cargo ship Dali, holding them fully responsible for the catastrophic bridge collapse that claimed numerous lives. This legal action comes after the companies had previously petitioned to cap their liability in the disaster.

The allegations leveled by the city state that the tragedy resulted from “carelessness, negligence, and recklessness” on the part of the ship’s operators. According to the suit, the Dali was experiencing power issues on the evening of the incident but still departed port despite being in an “clearly unseaworthy condition.”

In a statement, the Baltimore City Law Office said: “Today, the City filed its claim against the owners and managers of the Dali, in accordance with admiralty and maritime law. As the Mayor stated in his announcement last week, the City is pursuing its legal claims against those responsible for the Key Bridge catastrophe to ensure that the City, its residents, and its businesses are adequately compensated for their losses. As this matter is now the subject of active litigation, we will reserve further comment for the appropriate judicial forum.”

The city’s lawsuit seeks to hold the shipping companies fully accountable for the devastating bridge collapse and ensure proper compensation for all losses incurred by Baltimore and its citizens.