Crews carried out a controlled explosion yesterday, to to demolish the largest remaining section of the collapsed "Francis Scott Key" in the city of Baltimore in the USA, reported the Associated Press, quoted by BTA.
When the explosives detonated, orange orbs and black clouds of smoke formed, and the rest of the bridge collapsed into the water in seconds. The bridge's longest struts tore away from the bow of the stranded container ship ``Dali,'' sending up a high wave that splashed back toward it.
The controlled explosion was an important step in freeing the wrecked ship, which on March 26 lost power and struck a bridge pier shortly after leaving Baltimore Harbor. The destroyed bridge collapsed onto the ship's bow and has been lying on its deck for the past six weeks.
The bridge collapse killed 6 construction workers and disrupted most of the marine traffic through Baltimore's busy port. Controlled demolition should allow the container ship "Does" to be refloated and traffic through the harbor restored as the cleanup enters its final stages.
Once the ship is moved, maritime traffic will be able to return to normal, which will ease the situation of the thousands of shippers, truckers and small business owners whose jobs were affected by the port closure.
The authorities earlier said that the 21-member crew of the "Dali" will remain safely on board the ship while the controlled explosion takes place.