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| US bridge safety review ordered | US bridge safety review ordered |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| US officials have ordered a review of all bridges similar to the one that collapsed in Minnesota two days ago, killing at least five people. | US officials have ordered a review of all bridges similar to the one that collapsed in Minnesota two days ago, killing at least five people. |
| More than 700 structures will be looked at after it emerged that the bridge in Minneapolis had been classified as "structurally deficient". | More than 700 structures will be looked at after it emerged that the bridge in Minneapolis had been classified as "structurally deficient". |
| Divers have resumed their search for victims in the Mississippi river. At least eight people are still missing. | Divers have resumed their search for victims in the Mississippi river. At least eight people are still missing. |
| First Lady Laura Bush has been visiting the scene of the collapse. | First Lady Laura Bush has been visiting the scene of the collapse. |
| Mrs Bush praised rescue workers for their efforts. | |
| "I know that....even though you're trained, it's hard. And I know it's hard for you psychologically as well, to watch and to see the people who were grieving. And I know you grieve with them," she said. | "I know that....even though you're trained, it's hard. And I know it's hard for you psychologically as well, to watch and to see the people who were grieving. And I know you grieve with them," she said. |
| "So I want to thank you very very much for helping all the people here, for serving our country here." | "So I want to thank you very very much for helping all the people here, for serving our country here." |
| Some 50 vehicles were hurled into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in the city gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening. | Some 50 vehicles were hurled into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in the city gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening. |
| Local hospitals said they treated 79 people, most of them suffering from broken bones and head and spinal injuries. | Local hospitals said they treated 79 people, most of them suffering from broken bones and head and spinal injuries. |
| Before resuming the search on Friday morning, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said whirlpools and currents had hampered the efforts of his divers. | Before resuming the search on Friday morning, Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said whirlpools and currents had hampered the efforts of his divers. |
| "Conditions on the river (are) even more treacherous than yesterday," he told reporters. | "Conditions on the river (are) even more treacherous than yesterday," he told reporters. |
| See graphic of the bridge collapse | See graphic of the bridge collapse |
| Earlier, Minneapolis Mayor Raymond Thomas Rybak said that "sadly and tragically", he did not believe there would be any more survivors. | Earlier, Minneapolis Mayor Raymond Thomas Rybak said that "sadly and tragically", he did not believe there would be any more survivors. |
| The bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up Catherine YankelevichLocal driver What caused collapse? It was like a movie - witness In pictures: Bridge collapse | The bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up Catherine YankelevichLocal driver What caused collapse? It was like a movie - witness In pictures: Bridge collapse |
| "That means we are going to be very, very careful not to risk anything with the divers who are there, so we will be cautious in that regard." | "That means we are going to be very, very careful not to risk anything with the divers who are there, so we will be cautious in that regard." |
| The authorities were quick to rule out terrorism as the cause of the collapse. Attention is focusing on the bridge's state of repair. | The authorities were quick to rule out terrorism as the cause of the collapse. Attention is focusing on the bridge's state of repair. |
| Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said all structures similar to the collapsed steel truss bridge in Minneapolis would be inspected thoroughly. | Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said all structures similar to the collapsed steel truss bridge in Minneapolis would be inspected thoroughly. |
| "Even though we don't know what caused this collapse, we want states to immediately and thoroughly examine all similar spans out of an abundance of caution," she said. | "Even though we don't know what caused this collapse, we want states to immediately and thoroughly examine all similar spans out of an abundance of caution," she said. |
| Mr Bush said the government had to "respond robustly" to help the people of Minnesota recover and rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible. | Mr Bush said the government had to "respond robustly" to help the people of Minnesota recover and rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible. |
| Mr Bush will travel to the scene of the collapse on Saturday. | Mr Bush will travel to the scene of the collapse on Saturday. |
| 'Major problem' | 'Major problem' |
| The disaster has focused attention on the country's ageing infrastructure - particularly its bridges. | The disaster has focused attention on the country's ageing infrastructure - particularly its bridges. |
| I-35W BRIDGE 9340 Eight-lane, steel-arch bridgeBuilt in 1967Used by 140,000 cars a day | I-35W BRIDGE 9340 Eight-lane, steel-arch bridgeBuilt in 1967Used by 140,000 cars a day |
| According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70,000 bridges in the US - about 12% of all bridges - were classified "structurally deficient" in 2006. | According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70,000 bridges in the US - about 12% of all bridges - were classified "structurally deficient" in 2006. |
| But a bridge may be judged deficient simply for having weight restrictions, bans on heavy vehicles, or if certain parts need repairing. | But a bridge may be judged deficient simply for having weight restrictions, bans on heavy vehicles, or if certain parts need repairing. |
| Another 70,000 bridges have been given an even worse grade - "structurally obsolete" - says our correspondent Kim Ghattas. | Another 70,000 bridges have been given an even worse grade - "structurally obsolete" - says our correspondent Kim Ghattas. |
| The 40-year-old I-35W highway bridge, which was being repaired when it collapsed, was not due for replacement until 2020, said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. | The 40-year-old I-35W highway bridge, which was being repaired when it collapsed, was not due for replacement until 2020, said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. |
| He expressed concern for the rest of the country. | He expressed concern for the rest of the country. |
| "Anybody who looks at the national picture, the national statistics and says that we don't have a problem would be naive or misleading the situation. We have a major problem," Mr Pawlenty said. | "Anybody who looks at the national picture, the national statistics and says that we don't have a problem would be naive or misleading the situation. We have a major problem," Mr Pawlenty said. |
| 'Crumbling infrastructure' | 'Crumbling infrastructure' |
| Experts have estimated the cost of repairing all the nation's bridges at between $55bn (£27.5bn) and $188bn. | Experts have estimated the cost of repairing all the nation's bridges at between $55bn (£27.5bn) and $188bn. |
| MINNEAPOLIS Largest city in Minnesota stateIt and adjoining state capital St Paul form part of the Twin Cities area Twin Cities area population about 3.5m | MINNEAPOLIS Largest city in Minnesota stateIt and adjoining state capital St Paul form part of the Twin Cities area Twin Cities area population about 3.5m |
| Democrat Senator Harry Reid said the tragedy should be treated as a "wake-up call". | Democrat Senator Harry Reid said the tragedy should be treated as a "wake-up call". |
| "We have all over the country a crumbling infrastructure - highways, bridges and dams. We really need to take a hard look at this," he said. | "We have all over the country a crumbling infrastructure - highways, bridges and dams. We really need to take a hard look at this," he said. |
| White House press secretary Tony Snow said it was the state's responsibility to correct the problems if a bridge was reported to have deficiencies. | White House press secretary Tony Snow said it was the state's responsibility to correct the problems if a bridge was reported to have deficiencies. |
| The federal Department of Transportation has offered an initial $5m to help with clean-up efforts and transport issues in Minnesota, and Congress has begun working on legislation to provide $250m to replace the bridge. | The federal Department of Transportation has offered an initial $5m to help with clean-up efforts and transport issues in Minnesota, and Congress has begun working on legislation to provide $250m to replace the bridge. |
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