Salvage operations continued today to remove debris obstructing the Fort McHenry Channel in a concerted effort to address the aftermath of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

A significant portion of the collapsed bridge truss was carefully transported by barge to a designated disposal site on April 7.

Authorities said this step in the cleanup process is a top priority to safely and efficiently reopen the channel for maritime traffic.

Using specialised equipment and machinery, workers employed cranes to extract containers aboard the Dali, situated at the Key Bridge incident site.

Salvage crews employed hydraulic shears to cut sections of the truss into smaller pieces, facilitating their transport to the disposal site.

Officials said the process ensures the safe and effective removal of wreckage while minimising environmental impact.

The Dali vessel reportedly lost power before ramming into a bridge support, plunging the structure into the river as it fell apart within seconds early morning on March 26.

The ship's pilot issued a 'mayday call' minutes before the collision, allowing Maryland transportation officers to stop oncoming traffic onto the bridge.

Authorities fear the loss of the bridge could cost massive financial losses as the collapse has shuttered one of the busiest ports in the United States.