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Flyover collapses in Brazil World Cup host city Flyover collapses in Brazil World Cup host city
(about 1 hour later)
A flyover has collapsed onto vehicles in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte, killing at least one. A flyover has collapsed onto vehicles in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte, killing two people.
The bridge, which was under construction, fell onto traffic on a busy highway. The concrete and steel bridge, which was under construction, fell onto traffic on a busy highway.
The front of a commuter bus was crushed along with two apparently unoccupied construction lorries. A car was also reported crushed. It is unclear if people remain trapped. The front of a commuter bus was crushed along with two apparently unoccupied construction lorries. A car was also reported crushed. It is unclear if people remain trapped under the rubble.
The south-eastern city is due to host a World Cup semi-final match next week.The south-eastern city is due to host a World Cup semi-final match next week.
A woman who was driving the bus was killed when the flyover collapsed, the Associated Press news agency quotes firefighter Federico Pascual as saying. The health department of the state of Minas Gerais, of which Belo Horizonte is the capital, said the bus driver and another person were killed, and 22 more people were also injured.
Brazil's GloboNews 24-hour news channel reports that at least 19 people were injured. The construction firm that was building the flyover, Cowan, said it "deeply regrets what happened".
"When I saw the flyover falling down, I feared the worst would happen, that the bridge would turn on top of our bus," Renata Soares, who said she was sitting at the back of the yellow bus that was crushed, told GloboNews. "At the moment, the priority is to support victims and their families. The company says it has already sent technical staff to the scene to start investigations," it said in a statement.
"When I saw the flyover falling down, I feared the worst would happen, that the bridge would turn on top of our bus," Renata Soares, who said she was sitting at the back of the yellow bus that was crushed, told Brazil's GloboNews.
Another witness speaking to the channel, Daniel Magalhaes, said that the moment the bridge collapsed felt "like an earthquake. The ground shook violently. I heard a very loud bang".Another witness speaking to the channel, Daniel Magalhaes, said that the moment the bridge collapsed felt "like an earthquake. The ground shook violently. I heard a very loud bang".
Fire brigade spokesman Edgard Estevo da Silva told reporters that a car was crushed in the incident, and was "completely under" the collapsed flyover, the AFP news agency reports. World Cup accidents
The scene of the accident is near the busy district of Lagoa da Pampulha and the Mineirao Stadium, which has played host to several World Cup matches.The scene of the accident is near the busy district of Lagoa da Pampulha and the Mineirao Stadium, which has played host to several World Cup matches.
The unfinished flyover was part of the World Cup infrastructure plan aimed at improving Belo Horizonte's public transport system.The unfinished flyover was part of the World Cup infrastructure plan aimed at improving Belo Horizonte's public transport system.
A resident of the city, Diego Siqueira, told the BBC that people in Belo Horizonte were "not surprised" by the accident.
"Every World Cup infrastructure construction was delayed until the last year and they started to build it so fast and without quality," he complained.
Brazil's preparations for the World Cup were marred by accidents and missed deadlines. At least seven people were killed working on stadiums prior to the start of the tournament.Brazil's preparations for the World Cup were marred by accidents and missed deadlines. At least seven people were killed working on stadiums prior to the start of the tournament.
Last month, a worker was killed after a beam fell during construction of a monorail in Brazil's biggest city, Sao Paulo.Last month, a worker was killed after a beam fell during construction of a monorail in Brazil's biggest city, Sao Paulo.
The authorities have denied allegations that corners have been cut to get projects finished on time for the football tournament.
Are you in the area? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Belo Horizonte' in the subject heading and including your contact details.Are you in the area? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Belo Horizonte' in the subject heading and including your contact details.