Controlled explosions used to break up collapsed Baltimore bridge

A chain of explosions along the largest remaining span of a collapsed bridge in Baltimore has cleared the way for shipping to return to one of the America’s essential ports. Monday’s controlled demolition marked a significant step in freeing the Dali, a 300-metre (984ft) cargo ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, causing it to collapse and killing six construction workers. The Dali lost power and crashed into one of the support columns of the bridge shortly after leaving Baltimore. The demolition was delayed for a day because of thunderstorms. It went ahead after engineers spent weeks preparing explosives to break down an estimated 152 metre-long span of the bridge weighing up to 544 metric tonnes. Read the best of our journalism: Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: Find us on Facebook: Find