Fire engulfs Kerch bridge spanning from Crimea to Russia after explosion

The Kerch bridge from Russia to Crimea has been hit by a huge explosion.

Images from the bridge showed a fiercely burning fire engulfing at least two railway carriages from a train on the bridge, accompanied by a vast column of black smoke, and one half of the parallel road bridge collapsed into the Kerch Strait.

The explosion, which witnesses said could be heard miles away, took place before 6am on Saturday while a train was crossing the bridge. Russian officials said a car bomb was to blame

The Guardian on YouTube:

#Kerch #Crimea #Russia #Ukraine #Explosion #UkraineWar #KerchBridge #CrimeaBridge

[AseshShrestha]

This wasn't an explosion... it was a special fireworks operation

[history]

The most interesting thing is not exactly how the bridge was blown up, but how the owner of the bridge will now respond.

[mikethespike]

The rail section has been totalled even if it still looks okay. That fire reached well over 700 degrees C which permanently weakens steel and turns concrete into biscuit.

[alexquant]

That was a special operation. Happy birthday Mr Poohtin!

[sosonokasu]

Congrats to Portugal - Again having the longest bridge in Europe!

[MADMAX-fsgc]

What a beautiful sunrise! The photographer truly captured the beauty of the sky colours!

[Oz_Darkrdr]

This wasn't an explosion it was a unscheduled disassembly operation.

[petroleumalley]

Netherlands: Bridge shows hairline cracks and will be closed for public for at least 4 weeks for repair.
Russia: Half a bridge explodes but it will be partially open for public by saturday evening.

[GeraudRulz]

It was a special deconstruction operation...

[greg_]

As a civil engineer, I dislike this. As a human being, I love this.

[jerski]

"EXTREME" High temperature on concrete can cause "Thermal Expansion" which lead to a phenomena called "Spalling" (areas of concrete which have cracked and delaminated), plus with a sudden pour of water (from fire trucks) can cause it to contract, sudden expansion and contraction don't mix well with concrete.

[bryanhall]

Now let's do this to all the roads leading in to and out of Texas and Florida.

[FirstYokai]

People don't understand how significant this was. The crimean bridge was somewhat of a symbol for russia and their annexion

[christemple]

It is not an attack but a special bridge operation!!!

[halogenic]

Someone had the bright idea of parking a train on a bridge, loaded with fuel, near a war zone.

[craigfinnegan]

Nice of the Ukrainians to leave the outbound lanes for a retreat.

(Update- An explosive expert says charges planted directly onto the road and rail structures by Ukrainian special ops are the most likely source of the blast, not truck or boat).

[B_LW]

I was wondering when that bridge would be attacked.

[jessicam]

Seeing the bridge deck descending into the water is especially eerie.

[TacShooter]

In America we call that a Twofer (2-fer).

[tofreeu]

Putin:😡 things are going according to plan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣