Bridge collapse: 'A miracle so many lived'

Updated 09.45 Sat Aug 04 2007

Keywords: collapse, Mississippi, bridge

The Minneapolis Fire Chief has described it as a miracle that only five people have been confirmed dead in the collapse of one of the city's main road bridges over the Mississippi River.

Fire Chief Jim Clack said: "With that big a piece of the bridge falling in the river and the time of day, I thought it would be much worse.

"Initially, when this happened, I was worried there would be dozens of fatalities, if not hundreds. It's quite a miracle really" - Minneapolis Fire Chief

"Initially, when this happened, I was worried there would be dozens of fatalities, if not hundreds. It's quite a miracle really."

After a day in which divers tried to reach the bodies of more victims amid the smashed cars and blocks of concrete in the treacherous waters, Mr Clack said a fifth victim was found and more bodies were certain to be found.

Official estimates put at eight the number of people still missing while 27 of the 98 people injured in the disaster remain in hospital. President George W Bush is set to visit the scene of the tragedy.

Around the US, a handful of states, including Arizona, Michigan, New Jersey and New Mexico, have now ordered inspections of their own bridges following the tragedy.