This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bridge-collapse-miami-casualties-people-trapped-florida-international-university-a8258141.html
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Miami bridge collapse: Desperate effort underway to save victims trapped in rubble | Miami bridge collapse: Desperate effort underway to save victims trapped in rubble |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Emergency response teams are searching for victims buried in the rubble after a pedestrian bridge near Florida International University (FIU) in Miami collapsed. | Emergency response teams are searching for victims buried in the rubble after a pedestrian bridge near Florida International University (FIU) in Miami collapsed. |
| Footage from the chaotic scene showed cars crushed underneath the 950-ton bridge, as first responders dug through the wreckage for survivors. Eight vehicles were trapped when the bridge – still under construction – collapsed on top of them. | Footage from the chaotic scene showed cars crushed underneath the 950-ton bridge, as first responders dug through the wreckage for survivors. Eight vehicles were trapped when the bridge – still under construction – collapsed on top of them. |
| At least eight people were rushed to the hospital in the aftermath, a Miami Fire Rescue official said. Florida Highway Patrol had initially reported several fatalities, but officials did not confirm this at a press conference. | |
| It was also unclear what had triggered the collapse of the bridge, which had only been erected on Saturday and was set to open in 2019. | It was also unclear what had triggered the collapse of the bridge, which had only been erected on Saturday and was set to open in 2019. |
| Ciqué Philips, a student transferring to the school, was on the fourth floor of a nearby parking garage when the collapse happened. | Ciqué Philips, a student transferring to the school, was on the fourth floor of a nearby parking garage when the collapse happened. |
| “The sound was thundering," he told The Independent. "Like an extremely loud boom.” | “The sound was thundering," he told The Independent. "Like an extremely loud boom.” |
| The university said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding on campus". | The university said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding on campus". |
| "At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information," the statement said. "We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene." | "At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information," the statement said. "We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene." |
| More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene, according to Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez. The police department will take over the homicide investigation after the search and rescue mission concludes. | |
| Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted that he had spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the collapse, and would be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. | Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted that he had spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the collapse, and would be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. |
| President Donald Trump was also briefed on the situation, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. | President Donald Trump was also briefed on the situation, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. |
| "Terrible news coming from Miami as a pedestrian bridge has collapsed at @FIU and multiple deaths are reported," tweeted Florida Senator Marco Rubio. "We will pray for the victims and the entire Panther community". | "Terrible news coming from Miami as a pedestrian bridge has collapsed at @FIU and multiple deaths are reported," tweeted Florida Senator Marco Rubio. "We will pray for the victims and the entire Panther community". |
| The National Transportation Safety Board said it would send an investigative team to look into the collapse. | The National Transportation Safety Board said it would send an investigative team to look into the collapse. |
| The bridge crossed Southwest 8th Street near 109th Avenue, and was in high demand from students living the neighbouring suburban city of Sweetwater. It was intended to give Sweetwater residents safe passage over the busy street separating them from campus. | The bridge crossed Southwest 8th Street near 109th Avenue, and was in high demand from students living the neighbouring suburban city of Sweetwater. It was intended to give Sweetwater residents safe passage over the busy street separating them from campus. |
| The bridge was constructed using innovative new technology, which was thought to lower the risk to workers and pedestrians. The entire 174-ft walkway was installed in one fell swoop on Saturday, when a special crane picked it up, moved it, and lowered it into place. A number of community members came out to watch the installation. | The bridge was constructed using innovative new technology, which was thought to lower the risk to workers and pedestrians. The entire 174-ft walkway was installed in one fell swoop on Saturday, when a special crane picked it up, moved it, and lowered it into place. A number of community members came out to watch the installation. |
| The entire project cost approximately $14.2m, according to a fact sheet on FIU's website, and was funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation. | The entire project cost approximately $14.2m, according to a fact sheet on FIU's website, and was funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation. |