PREVIEW

Photos have captured the moment the remaining pieces of Francis Scott Key Bridge are blown apart in a controlled explosion.

It comes almost two months after the cargo container ship Dali collided with the bridge, resulting in the deaths of six construction workers who fell into the freezing Patapsco River.

The $110 million steel bridge had been resting on the cargo ship for almost two months, severely disrupting traffic through the Baltimore harbour. To clear the obstruction, the US Army Corps of Engineers orchestrated the controlled demolition to free the Dali.

The operation aims to allow the cargo ship to refloat and restore normal maritime traffic, a significant relief for the thousands of longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners affected by the closure. During the explosion, the ship's crew remained on board, while engineers used precision cuts to ensure the trusses' breakdown was controlled with 'surgical precision.'

Authorities have stated that this method is one of the safest and most efficient ways to remove steel under high tension. Following the explosion, hydraulic grabbers will lift the detonated steel sections onto barges.

An investigation into the bridge collapse has been launched by the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board. Preliminary reports suggest that the Dali experienced a sudden 'complete blackout' about half an hour into its 27-day journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka. Shortly after departing from Baltimore, the crew sent a mayday call, reporting a loss of power and control over the 948-foot vessel owned by Danish shipping giant Maersk. Minutes later, at approximately 1:30 am on March 26, the ship crashed into the bridge.

The safety board's investigation will focus on the ship’s electrical system, officials told AP.