UPDATE, 9:00 p.m. EST: Four people were found dead at the scene, the fire chief said, and nine others were taken to local hospitals.
BREAKING: Fire chief says 4 dead found at site of collapsed Florida pedestrian bridge, 9 taken to hospitals.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 16, 2018
UPDATE, 4:40 p.m. EST: There are eight vehicles trapped under the collapsed footbridge, authorities said, and there are ongoing search-and-rescue missions.
BREAKING: Authorities say 8 vehicles have been trapped in the Florida bridge collapse; search and rescue missions ongoing.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2018
A brand-new pedestrian bridge has collapsed at Florida International University in Miami, and vehicles and people are stuck underneath the rubble.
950-ton pedestrian bridge collapses at Florida International University, reports of multiple deaths and injuries. https://t.co/eJZaLyCdjj pic.twitter.com/SjKuY897zS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 15, 2018
Officials and emergency personnel are at the scene. The pedestrian bridge was not yet open, but cars were underneath it.
Florida Highway Patrol said there were “several fatalities” but did not release an exact number.
#BREAKING Florida Highway Patrol tells me there are several fatalities after a FIU pedestrian bridge collapsed. 5-6 vehicles have been crushed under the walkway
— Dom Proto (@Dom_Proto) March 15, 2018
The bridge was touted as the “first of its kind” – a pedestrian bridge that “swings” into place. The tweets about the bridge’s construction have seen been deleted, but they can be seen here:
Here are two deleted tweets about the now-collapsed pedestrian bridge from companies that worked on it, @barnhartcrane and @BDITest, and a deleted press release from @FIU:https://t.co/25p8pI6FIR pic.twitter.com/RONnph9c5u
— Tom Namako (@TomNamako) March 15, 2018
People are injured, and there are some reports of fatalities, according to police.
A pedestrian bridge has collapsed at Florida International University, trapping cars underneath. Police report there are several fatalities. https://t.co/oOFY2tZoKm pic.twitter.com/3s7lBHccIJ
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 15, 2018
Here is a video of the scene:
Emergency crews respond to collapsed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University in Miami, FL. Several people were killed, officials say. https://t.co/3kekuhxuF7 pic.twitter.com/hYupV1ctDK
— ABC News (@ABC) March 15, 2018
The bridge was just installed on Saturday. It reportedly cost $14.2 million – funds were provided as part of a Department of Transportation grant totaling $19.4 million.
BREAKING: A portion of a new pedestrian bridge has collapsed in Miami, “mass causalities” reported. NBC-affiliate WTVJ:
– Bridge is located near Florida International University
– Bridge was not yet open
– Several cars believed to be trapped beneath the bridge pic.twitter.com/ZgvBiqyG6R— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 15, 2018
FIU released a statement:
We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in the rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene. We will share updates as we have them.
