This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43418898

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
At least four dead in Florida university bridge collapse At least four dead in Florida university bridge collapse
(about 4 hours later)
At least four people are dead and 10 others are injured after a bridge collapsed near Florida International University in Miami, officials say. At least four people have been killed and 10 others hurt after a footbridge collapsed near Florida International University in Miami, officials say.
Rescue teams were still searching the rubble on Thursday night for victims trapped beneath the buckled footbridge. Rescuers are spending the night searching for victims trapped beneath the buckled structure.
The structure toppled over an eight-lane motorway on Thursday afternoon, crushing at least eight vehicles, according to police. The 862-tonne, 174ft (53m) bridge fell over an eight-lane motorway on Thursday afternoon, crushing at least eight vehicles, police said.
It is still unclear how many people were under the bridge at the time. The bridge was erected on Saturday in just six hours.
Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said on Thursday night he could confirm at least four people were killed. It was built using a method called "accelerated bridge construction" to avoid traffic disruption. A major section of the bridge was assembled on the side of the road and then raised into place.
What is the latest on the victims?
Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey confirmed on Thursday night that at least four people were killed.
"This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Chief Downey said."This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Chief Downey said.
At least 10 people were treated for injuries at theKendall Regional Medical Center, including two who were in "extremely critical condition", according to Dr Mark McKenney, director of general surgery.
The 950-ton (862-tonne), 174-foot (53m) bridge was erected on Saturday in just six hours over the highway, according to a story posted on the college website.
Witnesses told local media vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the structure collapsed at around 1330 local time (1730 GMT).
"We're working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see," Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters."We're working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see," Miami-Dade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters.
A witness told ABC News that the screams coming from the cars were "terrifying". At least 10 people were treated for injuries at the Kendall Regional Medical Center, including two who were in "extremely critical condition", according to Dr Mark McKenney, director of general surgery.
At one point, police ordered TV helicopters to leave the area so rescue teams could hear for any sounds of people calling for help under the wreckage, CBS Miami television reported.
FIU students are currently on their spring break until 17 March.
What have eyewitnesses said?
They told local media that vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the structure collapsed at about 13:30 local time (17:30 GMT).
It is still unclear how many people were under the bridge at the time.
One witness told ABC News that the screams coming from the cars were "terrifying".
"As soon as I looked outside, I saw dust flying everywhere," Tiona Page said. "I knew the bridge had collapsed.""As soon as I looked outside, I saw dust flying everywhere," Tiona Page said. "I knew the bridge had collapsed."
Another witness, Damany Reed, told CBS News: "I heard a big kaboom... it sounded continuous. We look outside... we thought something had fallen but it was the bridge that collapsed. It was just surreal at that moment and pretty scary."Another witness, Damany Reed, told CBS News: "I heard a big kaboom... it sounded continuous. We look outside... we thought something had fallen but it was the bridge that collapsed. It was just surreal at that moment and pretty scary."
"Just last week we were celebrating the expanse being completed and now we are here dealing with a tragedy," Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said. "I saw there were multiple cars crushed under the bridge. It was just terrible," Jacob Miller, an FIU student, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
Florida Governor Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio were at the scene on Thursday night, along with a team of specialists from the National Transportation Safety Board. How US officials have reacted?
President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday night he was monitoring "the heartbreaking bridge collapse".President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday night he was monitoring "the heartbreaking bridge collapse".
The span, which connected the college to a student housing area in the city of Sweetwater, had long been requested by students and staff at the university so they could avoid the traffic below, according to the Miami Herald. Florida Governor Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio were at the scene on Thursday night, along with a team of specialists from the National Transportation Safety Board.
"There will clearly be an investigation to find out exactly what happened and why this happened," Gov Scott said.
"But the most important thing we can do right now is pray for the individuals that ended up in the hospital for their full recovery. Pray for the family members that have lost loved ones," he said.
"Just last week we were celebrating the expanse being completed and now we are here dealing with a tragedy," Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said.
Why was the bridge needed over the motorway?
The span connected the college to a student housing area in the city of Sweetwater.
It had long been requested by students and staff at the university so they could avoid the traffic below, according to the Miami Herald.
In August 2017, a student was hit and killed by cars while crossing the busy road.In August 2017, a student was hit and killed by cars while crossing the busy road.
Munilla Construction company (MCM), a family-owned contractor that helped build the bridge, tweeted "thoughts and prayers" for those affected by the tragedy.Munilla Construction company (MCM), a family-owned contractor that helped build the bridge, tweeted "thoughts and prayers" for those affected by the tragedy.
FIGG Engineering said it also was behind the bridge project. Both firms said they would co-operate with investigators.FIGG Engineering said it also was behind the bridge project. Both firms said they would co-operate with investigators.
The university had touted the new swinging span on Twitter just days ago.The university had touted the new swinging span on Twitter just days ago.
The 174ft cable-supported footbridge was to be publicly opened in 2019, local media say. The cable-supported footbridge was to be publicly opened in 2019, local media say.
Costing $14.2m (£12.5m), it was funded by the US Department of Transportation.Costing $14.2m (£12.5m), it was funded by the US Department of Transportation.
NBA basketball team the Miami Heat tweeted their support to the FIU community.NBA basketball team the Miami Heat tweeted their support to the FIU community.
Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Did you witness what happened? If it's safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below