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Florida university bridge collapses leaving 'several fatalities' At least four dead in Florida university bridge collapse
(35 minutes later)
Rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors of a deadly bridge collapse at Florida International University in Miami. At least four people are dead and 10 others are injured after a bridge collapsed near Florida International University in Miami, officials say.
Images of crushed cars beneath the buckled structure were shared across social media on Thursday. Rescue teams were still searching the rubble on Thursday night for victims trapped beneath the buckled footbridge.
A Florida Highway Patrol official said there were several fatalities, but police have yet to confirm a number. The structure toppled over an eight-lane motorway on Thursday afternoon, crushing at least eight vehicles, according to police.
It was unclear how many people were trapped in at least eight vehicles beneath the bridge, officials said. It is still unclear how many people were under the bridge at the time.
"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. Miami-Dade Fire Chief Dave Downey said on Thursday night he could confirm at least four people were killed.
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. "This is going to be a long incident. We are going to have rescuers here through the night, if not longer," Chief Downey said.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt Alejandro Camacho told CBS News there were several fatalities. 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 an eight-lane motorway, according to a story posted on the college website. 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.
Aerial footage shows first responders trying to get under the bridge to trapped cars. 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".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."
"We have a national tragedy on our hands," Sweetwater Mayor Orlando Lopez 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.
Florida Governor Rick Scott and a team of specialists from the National Transportation Safety Board were heading to the scene on Thursday night. 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.
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.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.
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 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 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.
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