Car alarms and light applause could be heard after an extensive controlled explosion brought down the remaining two pylons of the Morandi bridge in Genoa, Italy, which dramatically collapsed last August, killing 43 people.
Around 3,400 people living in the vicinity were evacuated ahead of the blast on 28 June, which, thanks to 550kg of explosives placed at strategic points, brought the structure down in about six seconds.
Watch Euronews’ video of the explosion here:
As the 40,000 tons of steel and concrete came down, crews aimed water cannons at the gargantuan heap to try and stop a vast cloud of dust enveloping the city, Euronews reports.
Residents were to be allowed back to their homes once the dust had settled.
It was the crowning act of a demolition project that started in February.
Drivers will hope a new bridge is constructed as soon as possible because the lack of a viaduct has clogged traffic to and from Genoa’s busy port.
Italian companies Salini Impregilo and Fincantieri have been assigned the role of reconstructing the bridge.
The horrific collapse on 14 August last year sent dozens of vehicles plunging 30 metres to the ground below.
Image: The remaining structure of the collapsed Morandi bridge being demolished with a controlled explosion on 28 June 2019 in Genoa, Italy (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
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