WATCH: A spectacular planned explosion has knocked down the remaining parts of the Italian bridge that collapsed last year, killing 43. 9News
The blast in Genoa triggered a huge cloud of grayish dust as the pillars and roadbed leaned inward, then crumbled like a sandcastle.
In a few seconds, the Morandi Bridge was history, with debris falling into the riverbed under what had been a key link between the high-speed highway leading to the French Riviera and another highway linking Genoa, a major port city, to Milan.Minutes before the blast, sirens sounded a final warning. Some 3,500 people who live nearby had been evacuated as a precaution on Thursday and before dawn on Friday.
Other homes, directly beneath one of the bridge's spans, had been evacuated immediately after the August 14 collapse. Those apartment buildings will be eliminated as part of the replacement bridge's construction.Ahead of the planned blast, fire hoses sprayed water to reduce dust triggered by the blast. Still, the cloud of dust and debris seemed to darken the sunny sky. Frightened dogs barked at the noise.
Prosecutors are considering possible design flaws or poor maintenance as they search for the cause of the deadly collapse during heavy vacation holiday traffic.
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