When an explosion ripped through a French airliner flying over the Sahara in 1989, the blast severed the DC-10's front end from the rest of the plane, which stayed aloft for about 20 seconds before plunging into the ground.

The blast severed the ship's entire bow forward of turret two.

The blast severed his right foot and inflicted severe burns and cuts to his legs, arms and hands.

The blast severed one of his legs below the knee and wounded two of his peers.

Though unsophisticated, the satchel charge was an effective anti-tank weapon during World War II; the blast could sever the tracks of a tank, damage internal components or injure the crew.

They found, for example, that if a street-level blast severed a structural column, the floors normally held up by it could literally hang from massive braces placed higher in the building to help it resist the forces of the wind.

Basse and Majja were on board when a well-aimed blast severed the grav-bridge and Marethyn felt herself falling.

The blast severed the woman's head, but left her face intact.

The blast tore off his right kneecap, nearly severed his left arm, opened two chest wounds and sent shrapnel into his face.