I saw the footage on this morning’s news. Out of all the videos of implosions I’ve seen (probably hundreds) this is the first one where I’ve seen shrapnel flying like that. I’ve got to wonder if perhaps they used way too much explosives, or else positioned them wrong somehow.
Normally, the main hazard to spectators is the huge cloud of dust, which can’t possibly be healthy to breathe.
Absolutely not. It is, however, a strong indicator of maleness.
Now that I’ve read about the Crush, TX incident, I’m imagining it is the origin behind all those train speed math problems.
On other implosions I’ve seen, the dynamite “big kaboom” charges used on concrete slabs and columns are wrapped with heavy fabric and chain link fencing to contain shrapnel. I can only guess this wasn’t done here.
By comparison, the shaped charges used for cutting steel columns focus their energy like a pair of scissors, and are sometimes covered not to contain shrapnel, but to protect the charges from damage by flying debris as their paired alignment is surprisingly critical for an explosive device.
I’m not saying they’re idiots, but I rarely trust anyone who tells me I’m in a safe zone. Don’t you know how stupid people are? If I was there, I’d have been in the far back of the safe zone with most of my body behind a concrete pillar or vehicle or something. I might still lose my head, but at least my odds are better than standing at the front of the zone, right at the edge of the line that someone says is safe.