Engineers and marine crews began to dismantle and remove the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore this week following a cargo ship collision.

The Dali shipping vessel reportedly lost power before ramming into a support pillar of the bridge, plunging the structure into the river as it fell apart within seconds on March 26. Six people are missing presumed dead after a car they were in plunged into the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard is now overseeing the effort to dismantle the bridge and recover the debris.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed the Defense Department's commitment to supporting the response.

She said the collaborative endeavour involves agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Navy, and others.

Demolition crews are seen in the video initiating the process of cutting into the collapsed bridge's north side, while the Army Corps of Engineers conducted a vital underwater survey - a prerequisite for debris removal.

The Naval Sea Systems Command contributed to the operation by mobilising specialized vessels, including the 1,000-tonne lift capacity derrick barge Chesapeake, the 200-tonne lift capacity revolving crane barge Ferrell, and the 150-tonne lift capacity crane barge Oyster Bay, all stationed in Baltimore Harbor.

An additional 400-tonne lift capacity barge was expected further bolstering the removal efforts.

Coast Guard Captain David O'Connell, the federal on-scene coordinator for Key Bridge Response 2024, announced plans for establishing a temporary alternate channel to facilitate the passage of commercially essential vessels, marking a crucial milestone in the endeavor to reopen the Port of Baltimore.