The remaining part of a collapsed Miami apartment building has been demolished in a controlled explosion.

Some 121 people are still missing after the disaster and rescuers now hope to be able to reach new areas of the rubble to search for victims.

Demolition crews set off a series of explosives before the building started to fall on Sunday evening, sending up massive plumes of dust into the air in the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Crews hope to be able to make their way into parts of an underground garage that is of particular interest.

It’s hoped once there, they will be able to get a clearer picture of any gaps in the rubble where survivors may still be alive.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said that the demolition went ‘exactly as planned’ around 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

The building collapsed on June 24 and since then the remains of 24 people have been found, while no one has yet been rescued alive.

There had been fears the remaining part of the severely damaged Surfside building was at risk of falling last week.

Parts of the structure shifted on Thursday, prompting a 15-hour suspension in rescue efforts, while the approaching tropical storm Elsa added urgency to the concerns on Sunday.

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After the demolition, crews immediately began clearing some of the new debris so rescuers could resume their work.

Shortly after the explosion, cranes were again in motion at the site, suggesting that crews were back in place ready to sift through the rubble.

Those in charge of the operation had previously said they would be ready to renew their efforts at any time of day or night.

On Friday, the 7-year-old daughter of a Miami firefighter was one of two victims pulled from the rubble.

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