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Bridge collapses into Mississippi Bridge collapses into Mississippi
(19 minutes later)
A freeway bridge over the Mississippi river has collapsed during the evening rush hour, sending cars into the water.A freeway bridge over the Mississippi river has collapsed during the evening rush hour, sending cars into the water.
An entire span of the four-lane I-35W bridge in the city of Minneapolis fell into the river at 1805 (2305GMT).An entire span of the four-lane I-35W bridge in the city of Minneapolis fell into the river at 1805 (2305GMT).
Injuries are reported, and some people were stranded on parts of the bridge which have not collapsed. Local officials said three people had died. Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge still standing.
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.
Vehicles are reported to have fallen into the river, and a large plume of smoke billowed into the sky at the scene. Vehicles are reported to have fallen into the river, and a large plume of smoke was seen billowing into the sky at the scene.
'Multiple patients' 'Catastrophe'
Tons of concrete crashed into the water after the interstate bridge, which is thought to be 40 years old, crumbled. Tons of concrete crashed into the water after the 40-year-old interstate bridge crumbled.
First I heard this huge roar. I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?' Local resident, Leone CarstensFirst I heard this huge roar. I thought: 'Wow was that an airplane?' Local resident, Leone Carstens
Television news pictures showed boats searching for injured people and cars stranded on large chunks of concrete in the water.Television news pictures showed boats searching for injured people and cars stranded on large chunks of concrete in the water.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a rumbling sound as the bridge collapsed into the river. Eyewitnesses said they heard a rumbling sound as the structure collapsed into the river.
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?'"
Rescuers carried survivors up the riverbank, while eyewitnesses said they saw people in the water. Eyewitnesses said they saw rescuers carrying survivors up the riverbank and people in the water.
'Multiple patients'
A nursing supervisor at Hennepin County Medical Center told local WCCO radio: "We have multiple patients. Some critical, some non-critical."A nursing supervisor at Hennepin County Medical Center told local WCCO radio: "We have multiple patients. Some critical, some non-critical."
Chris O'Connell, a Minneapolis reporter, told the BBC: "It is a very chaotic scene here. To call this a catastrophe would be an understatement.
"We're still trying to get a count on how many, but a lot of people went into the river."
Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, told the 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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