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Bush visits collapsed bridge site Bush visits collapsed bridge site
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has visited the site of a motorway bridge over the Mississippi river which collapsed on Wednesday.US President George W Bush has visited the site of a motorway bridge over the Mississippi river which collapsed on Wednesday.
Mr Bush, in a weekly radio address broadcast before the trip, said the authorities would do all they could to help those affected. Mr Bush praised the "determination and compassion" of those involved in the tragedy, and vowed to rebuild the bridge as soon as possible.
The visit comes as the US Congress voted to allocated $250m (£122m) to help rebuild the Minnesota bridge.The visit comes as the US Congress voted to allocated $250m (£122m) to help rebuild the Minnesota bridge.
At least five people died during the collapse, and eight are still missing.At least five people died during the collapse, and eight are still missing.
About 50 vehicles were thrown into the water when large sections of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis gave way without warning.About 50 vehicles were thrown into the water when large sections of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis gave way without warning.
Searches are continuing for the remaining victims in the fast flowing river.Searches are continuing for the remaining victims in the fast flowing river.
See graphic of the bridge collapse See graphic of the bridge collapse
'Decent and resilient''Decent and resilient'
Mr Bush was given a 10-minute helicopter tour of the site of the collapse, and was also expected to view the damage on foot. Mr Bush was given a 10-minute helicopter tour, circling the site of the collapse several times.
They know that all of America stands with them, and that we will do all we can to help them recover and rebuild George W Bush US seeks answers What caused collapse? In pictures: Bridge collapse Our message is - we want to get this bridge built as soon as possible George W Bush US seeks answers What caused collapse? In pictures: Bridge collapse
"This is a difficult time for the community in Minneapolis, but the people there are decent and resilient, and they will get through these painful hours," AP news agency quoted him as saying in his radio message, recorded on Friday. He then viewed the damage on foot. Among others, he met a man who had rushed to save a group of children trapped in a school bus.
"As they do, they know that all of America stands with them, and that we will do all we can to help them recover and rebuild." "I have met with the chief of police, and the sheriff, rescue workers, people who represent men and women who are working as hard as they possibly can to save life and to find life, to go under these murky waters to find the facts. And it's going to take a while," Mr Bush said.
On Friday, legislators called for more funding for transportation infrastructure as they moved to approve the aid money. "I've been impressed not only by their determination but I have been impressed by their compassion."
"All of us are struck, deeply within our souls" by the disaster, said Jim Oberstar, the Democratic Party chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Mr Bush said officials would do all they could to remove bureaucratic barriers to rebuilding.
The $250m is to help begin rebuilding the bridge and provide transportation alternatives such as more buses while the important link over the Mississippi is replaced. "Our message is - we want to get this bridge built as soon as possible."
But another vote in the House of Representatives is needed on Saturday after the Senate amended the measure to switch the source for some of the money, AP reported.
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