Bridge Collapses In Downtown Minneapolis

Updated August 2, 2007

Minneapolis, Minnesota - A major bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota collapsed Wednesday afternoon, dumping at least fifty cars and trucks into the water below.

Six are reported dead, and over 50 people are missing as of Thursday morning.

The center of the Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. with nearly 50 cars on it during rush hour.

A tractor-trailer caught fire, and flame and black smoke billowed into the sky.

Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no immediate word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.

Cars and people were stranded on parts of the bridge that weren't completely submerged and some vehicles were on fire.

Workers have been repairing the bridge surface as part of improvements along that stretch of the Interstate.

Rescue workers were helping some people from cars in the river.

Witnesses at the scene said the entire bridge collapsed, leaving part of the roadway submerged and part above water.

A number of people were walking around on the roadway that was not submerged.

"It is just horrific," said witness Marilyn Franzen, who saw the bridge collapse. Franzen said she saw a school bus that managed to stop before the going over the edge of the bridge that she said was carrying 20-30 children.

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