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Florida university bridge collapses leaving 'several fatalities' Florida university bridge collapses leaving 'several fatalities'
(35 minutes later)
Miami police have said there are a number of victims after a newly installed pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University. Rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors of a deadly bridge collapse at Florida International University in Miami.
Images of the buckled structure at the college in Miami were shared across social media on Thursday afternoon. Images of crushed cars beneath the buckled structure were shared across social media on Thursday.
A Florida Highway Patrol official said there were several fatalities, but police have yet to confirm a number.A Florida Highway Patrol official said there were several fatalities, but police have yet to confirm a number.
It was unclear how many people were still trapped in eight vehicles beneath the bridge, Miami officials said. It was unclear how many people were trapped in at least eight vehicles beneath the bridge, officials said.
"This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said on Thursday."This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said on Thursday.
At least eight people have been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries. Two people were "cut out and extricated from the debris", he added. At least 10 people were treated for injuries, including two in "extremely critical condition", according to Dr Mark McKenney, director of general surgery at Kendall Regional Medical Center.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt Alejandro Camacho told CBS News there were several fatalities.Florida Highway Patrol Lt Alejandro Camacho told CBS News there were several fatalities.
The 950-ton (862-tonne), 174-foot (53m) bridge was erected on Saturday in just six hours over an eight-lane motorway, according to a story posted on the college website.
Aerial footage shows first responders trying to get under the bridge to trapped cars.Aerial footage shows first responders trying to get under the bridge to trapped cars.
The university issued a statement saying rescue efforts were still underway. "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 are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge," said a university spokesperson.
"At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information."
Miami-Dade County Emergency Management urged commuters to avoid the area.
A witness told ABC News that the screams coming from the cars were "terrifying".A 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."
Florida Governor Rick Scott responded to the accident on Twitter: "I have spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the pedestrian bridge collapse at FIU. "We have a national tragedy on our hands," Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez said.
"I will be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day." Florida Governor Rick Scott and a team of specialists from the National Transportation Safety Board were heading to the scene on Thursday night.
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 862-tonne bridge was erected on Saturday. 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.
The span, which connected the college to a student housing area, 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.
"We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way," the firm tweeted. 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 (53m) cable-supported footbridge was to be publicly opened in 2019, local media say. The 174ft 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 Miami Heat tweeted their support to the FIU community. NBA basketball team the Miami Heat tweeted their support to the FIU community.
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