A portion of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore that was stuck atop the ship that crashed into the bridge was destroyed in a controlled demolition Monday, as crews continue a more than one-month-long effort to free the ship and its onboard crew from a shipping channel used to access the Port of Baltimore.
Explosive charges are detonated to bring down sections of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge on ... [+]
The controlled demolition broke the span laying on top of the ship into smaller pieces while the ship’s crew of 21 people sheltered in a designated area inside.
A part of the detonated structure fell into the channel, though a video of the demolition shows a part of the span remained on top of the ship.
Officials are seeking to permanently reopen the channel late this month.
A boat moves past the bow of the container ship Dali prior to the controlled detonation. (AP ... [+]
Explosive charges on portions of the bridge are detonated. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Media members observe the controlled demolition. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Smoke billows from the bridge after detonation. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Parts of the bridge fall into the channel after detonation. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A section of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rests in the water next to the Dali container ship. (Photo ... [+]
An aerial view of the bridge debris and ship. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Parts of the bridge and road lay on top of the Dali after the controlled demolition. (Photo by Kevin ... [+]
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The bridge’s collapse on March 26 resulted in the deaths of six construction workers who were filling potholes on it when the cargo ship struck a support beam. The body of the sixth and final victim of the collapse was identified last week. About 15,000 workers’ jobs and 500 local businesses were impacted by the bridge’s collapse. The crew of the ship, known as the Dali, have stayed onboard since the accident and answered questions from investigators with the FBI and National Transportation Safety Board. Most of the crew is from India.
Port Of Baltimore May Regain Permanent Channel Next Month, Army Corps Of Engineers Says (Forbes)