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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50460671
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
French bridge collapses near Toulouse, killing girl, 15 | French bridge collapses near Toulouse, killing girl, 15 |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A 15-year-old girl has been killed and several other people are believed missing after a suspension bridge collapsed in south-western France. | A 15-year-old girl has been killed and several other people are believed missing after a suspension bridge collapsed in south-western France. |
Several vehicles fell into the River Tarn north of Toulouse when the bridge near the village of Mirepoix-sur-Tarn fell down at around 08:00 (07:00 GMT). | Several vehicles fell into the River Tarn north of Toulouse when the bridge near the village of Mirepoix-sur-Tarn fell down at around 08:00 (07:00 GMT). |
Four people were rescued and the river is still being searched for others not accounted for. | |
An investigation into the causes of the incident has been opened. | An investigation into the causes of the incident has been opened. |
At least 60 emergency services personnel were deployed to the scene. | |
At least one truck, a car and potentially a van were caught in the disaster. A search is still on for the driver of the truck. | |
Witnesses have told the BBC that a school bus crossed less than a minute before the structure collapsed. | |
How safe was the bridge? | |
Eric Oget, mayor of Mirepoix-sur-Tarn, has suggested warnings about the bridge's weight restriction - displayed at either side of the crossing - might have been ignored by drivers. | |
"From time to time I have actually seen very heavy vehicles using the bridge," Mr Oget told the BBC. | |
"We have always been vigilant in carrying out checks with the municipal police, to stop them when we see it, but there are times when we do not see them." | |
The bridge, 155m (170 yards) long and almost 7m wide, was renovated in 2003 by Haute-Garonne council and last inspected late last year, said Georges Meric, chairman of the council. | |
Some 25,000 bridges around France are in need of urgent repair work, according to a Senate report from June. |