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US bridge safety review ordered US bridge safety review ordered
(20 minutes later)
US officials have ordered a review of all bridges similar to the one that collapsed in Minnesota two days ago, killing at least four people. US officials have ordered a review of all bridges similar to the one that collapsed in Minnesota two days ago, killing at least five people.
More than 700 structures will be looked at after it emerged that the bridge in Minneapolis had been classified as "structurally deficient".More than 700 structures will be looked at after it emerged that the bridge in Minneapolis had been classified as "structurally deficient".
Divers halted their search for victims in the Mississippi river overnight. At least eight people are still missing.Divers halted their search for victims in the Mississippi river overnight. At least eight people are still missing.
First Lady Laura Bush is due to visit Minneapolis later.First Lady Laura Bush is due to visit Minneapolis later.
Some 50 vehicles were hurled into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in the city gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening.Some 50 vehicles were hurled into the water when part of the I-35W bridge in the city gave way during the rush hour on Wednesday evening.
Local hospitals said they treated 79 people, most of them suffering from broken bones and head and spinal injuries.Local hospitals said they treated 79 people, most of them suffering from broken bones and head and spinal injuries.
Minneapolis Mayor Raymond Thomas Rybak said: "Sadly and tragically, we don't believe there are people who are alive in the river.Minneapolis Mayor Raymond Thomas Rybak said: "Sadly and tragically, we don't believe there are people who are alive in the river.
"That means we are going to be very, very careful not to risk anything with the divers who are there, so we will be cautious in that regard.""That means we are going to be very, very careful not to risk anything with the divers who are there, so we will be cautious in that regard."
See graphic of the bridge collapse See graphic of the bridge collapse
The authorities were quick to rule out terrorism as the cause of the collapse. Attention is focusing on the bridge's state of repair.The authorities were quick to rule out terrorism as the cause of the collapse. Attention is focusing on the bridge's state of repair.
The bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up Catherine YankelevichLocal driver What caused collapse? It was like a movie - witness In pictures: Bridge collapseThe bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up Catherine YankelevichLocal driver What caused collapse? It was like a movie - witness In pictures: Bridge collapse
Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said all structures similar to the collapsed steel truss bridge in Minneapolis would be inspected thoroughly.Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said all structures similar to the collapsed steel truss bridge in Minneapolis would be inspected thoroughly.
"Even though we don't know what caused this collapse, we want states to immediately and thoroughly examine all similar spans out of an abundance of caution," she said."Even though we don't know what caused this collapse, we want states to immediately and thoroughly examine all similar spans out of an abundance of caution," she said.
US President George W Bush said the government had to "respond robustly" to help the people of Minnesota recover and rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.US President George W Bush said the government had to "respond robustly" to help the people of Minnesota recover and rebuild the bridge as quickly as possible.
Mr Bush will travel to the scene of the collapse on Saturday.Mr Bush will travel to the scene of the collapse on Saturday.
'Major problem''Major problem'
The disaster has focused attention on the country's ageing infrastructure - particularly its bridges.The disaster has focused attention on the country's ageing infrastructure - particularly its bridges.
I-35W BRIDGE 9340 Eight-lane, steel-arch bridgeBuilt in 1967Used by 140,000 cars a dayI-35W BRIDGE 9340 Eight-lane, steel-arch bridgeBuilt in 1967Used by 140,000 cars a day
According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70,000 bridges in the US - about 12% of all bridges - were classified "structurally deficient" in 2006.According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 70,000 bridges in the US - about 12% of all bridges - were classified "structurally deficient" in 2006.
But a bridge may be judged deficient simply for having weight restrictions, bans on heavy vehicles, or if certain parts need repairing.But a bridge may be judged deficient simply for having weight restrictions, bans on heavy vehicles, or if certain parts need repairing.
Another 70,000 bridges have been given an even worse grade - "structurally obsolete" - says our correspondent Kim Ghattas.Another 70,000 bridges have been given an even worse grade - "structurally obsolete" - says our correspondent Kim Ghattas.
The 40-year-old I-35W highway bridge, which was being repaired when it collapsed, was not due for replacement until 2020, said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.The 40-year-old I-35W highway bridge, which was being repaired when it collapsed, was not due for replacement until 2020, said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
He expressed concern for the rest of the country.He expressed concern for the rest of the country.
"Anybody who looks at the national picture, the national statistics and says that we don't have a problem would be naive or misleading the situation. We have a major problem," Mr Pawlenty said."Anybody who looks at the national picture, the national statistics and says that we don't have a problem would be naive or misleading the situation. We have a major problem," Mr Pawlenty said.
'Crumbling infrastructure''Crumbling infrastructure'
Experts have estimated the cost of repairing all the nation's bridges at between $55bn (£27.5m) and $188bn.Experts have estimated the cost of repairing all the nation's bridges at between $55bn (£27.5m) and $188bn.
MINNEAPOLIS Largest city in Minnesota stateIt and adjoining state capital St Paul form part of the Twin Cities area Twin Cities area population about 3.5mMINNEAPOLIS Largest city in Minnesota stateIt and adjoining state capital St Paul form part of the Twin Cities area Twin Cities area population about 3.5m
Democrat Senator Harry Reid said the tragedy should be treated as a "wake-up call".Democrat Senator Harry Reid said the tragedy should be treated as a "wake-up call".
"We have all over the country a crumbling infrastructure - highways, bridges and dams. We really need to take a hard look at this," he said."We have all over the country a crumbling infrastructure - highways, bridges and dams. We really need to take a hard look at this," he said.
White House press secretary Tony Snow said it was the state's responsibility to correct the problems if a bridge was reported to have deficiencies.White House press secretary Tony Snow said it was the state's responsibility to correct the problems if a bridge was reported to have deficiencies.
The federal Department of Transportation has offered an initial $5m to help with clean-up efforts and transport issues in Minnesota, and Congress has begun working on legislation to provide $250m to replace the bridge.The federal Department of Transportation has offered an initial $5m to help with clean-up efforts and transport issues in Minnesota, and Congress has begun working on legislation to provide $250m to replace the bridge.
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