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Seven dead as US bridge collapses Seven dead as US bridge collapses
(about 1 hour later)
Seven people have died after a freeway bridge over the Mississippi river collapsed in the evening rush hour. Seven people have died after a motorway bridge over the Mississippi river collapsed in the evening rush hour.
At least 60 were injured when part of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis fell down at 1805 (2305 GMT) on Wednesday.At least 60 were injured when part of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis fell down at 1805 (2305 GMT) on Wednesday.
Fire Chief Jim Clack told reporters seven died as the structure buckled, hurling up to 50 vehicles in the water. Fire Chief Jim Clack said seven had died as the structure buckled, hurling up to 50 vehicles into the water.
The US Department of Homeland Security said there was no reason to suspect the fall of the bridge, which had been undergoing repairs, was terror-related.The US Department of Homeland Security said there was no reason to suspect the fall of the bridge, which had been undergoing repairs, was terror-related.
Mr Clack said: "At this point we have seven confirmed fatalities, and we expect that number to go up."Mr Clack said: "At this point we have seven confirmed fatalities, and we expect that number to go up."
He added that rescuers did not expect to find any more survivors.He added that rescuers did not expect to find any more survivors.
'Catastrophe''Catastrophe'
The rescue operation was called off as night fell, because darkness made it too dangerous to search the water among mangled steel and submerged cars.The rescue operation was called off as night fell, because darkness made it too dangerous to search the water among mangled steel and submerged cars.
Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak told a news conference: "It will be a very tragic night when it is over."Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak told a news conference: "It will be a very tragic night when it is over."
First I heard this huge roar. I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?' Local resident, Leone Carstens Shock as bridge falls In pictures: Bridge collapseFirst I heard this huge roar. I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?' Local resident, Leone Carstens Shock as bridge falls In pictures: Bridge collapse
Traffic had been "bumper-to-bumper" at the time of the incident as only one lane was open in either direction on the eight-lane road because of the construction work on the arched bridge.Traffic had been "bumper-to-bumper" at the time of the incident as only one lane was open in either direction on the eight-lane road because of the construction work on the arched bridge.
Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, told a press conference: "Obviously this is a catastrophe of historic proportions."Tim Pawlenty, governor of Minnesota, told a press conference: "Obviously this is a catastrophe of historic proportions."
He added that the 40-year-old bridge was last inspected in 2006 and no significant structural problems were found. He added that the 40-year-old bridge was last inspected in 2006 and no significant structural problems had been found.
Minneapolis police chief Tim Dolan said officials had accounted for all but one of the construction workers who had been on the bridge at the time of the collapse.Minneapolis police chief Tim Dolan said officials had accounted for all but one of the construction workers who had been on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
Tons of concrete crashed 64 feet (20 metres) into the water as the interstate bridge crumbled.Tons of concrete crashed 64 feet (20 metres) into the water as the interstate bridge crumbled.
A freight train passing underneath was crushed as a 500ft (150m) span of steel and concrete collapsed.A freight train passing underneath was crushed as a 500ft (150m) span of steel and concrete collapsed.
'Huge roar''Huge roar'
Some 60 children were led to safety with only minor injuries from a school bus that clung to the edge of a collapsed section of the structure over the river.Some 60 children were led to safety with only minor injuries from a school bus that clung to the edge of a collapsed section of the structure over the river.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a rumbling sound as the structure fell into the river.Eyewitnesses said they heard a rumbling sound as the structure fell into the river.
Injured people waited for rescue as vehicles dangled off the crumpled concrete and smoke billowed into the sky from the fiery wreckage of a lorry.Injured people waited for rescue as vehicles dangled off the crumpled concrete and smoke billowed into the sky from the fiery wreckage of a lorry.
Leone Carstens, a local resident, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper: "First I heard this huge roar.Leone Carstens, a local resident, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper: "First I heard this huge roar.
"I was at my computer. Initially I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?'""I was at my computer. Initially I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?'"
Divers and rescue boats scoured the water for survivors but the operation had to be called off as night fell because of the amount of debris in the water.Divers and rescue boats scoured the water for survivors but the operation had to be called off as night fell because of the amount of debris in the water.
Chris O'Connell, a Minneapolis reporter, told the BBC: "To call this a catastrophe would be an understatement."Chris O'Connell, a Minneapolis reporter, told the BBC: "To call this a catastrophe would be an understatement."
Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, told AFP news agency: "There are no indications of a nexus to terrorism at this time."Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, told AFP news agency: "There are no indications of a nexus to terrorism at this time."
Are you in Minneapolis? Have you seen the collapsed bridge? Use the form below to send us your eyewitness accounts.Are you in Minneapolis? Have you seen the collapsed bridge? Use the form below to send us your eyewitness accounts.
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