Photo Gallery Disaster on the Mississippi

At least nine are dead and 60 injured following the collapse on Wednesday evening of a major freeway bridge in the US city of Minneapolis. Officials say a structural failure likely caused the 40-year-old bridge to give way.
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A aerial photo shows the scope of the accident: The Interstate 35W bridge broke into three sections as it collapsed, taking dozens of cars with it as it fell into the Mississippi River.

Foto: AP/ Star Tribune
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A school bus carrying 60 children was also driving across the bridge at the time of the collapse. Children were injured, but none were killed.

Foto: AP/The Star Tribune
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The steel trusses of the bridge can be seen here: Recent inspections of the crossing found no major structural problems.

Foto: AP
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Rescuers search for survivors: The cause of the busy I-35W bridge collapse has not yet been determined.

Foto: AFP
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Rescue workers at the scene of the accident: Dozens of vehicles plunged into the river and here workers are searching among the wreckage for survivors.

Foto: AP
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Vehicles are stopped on a section of the highway that barely escaped the worst.

Foto: AP/ St. Paul Pioneer Press/ Scott Takushi/ www.twincities.com
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A number of vehicles were crushed under the buckling concrete. Here, firefighters attempt to put out a car fire.

Foto: AP
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Images that resemble an earthquake: At the time of the accident, cars were backed up in a rush-hour traffic jam.

Foto: REUTERS
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Rescue workers gather in front of the bridge collapse area.

Foto: REUTERS
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Rescue boats attempt to track cars that fell into the Mississippi River.

Foto: AFP
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The wreckage of cars and remains of a freeway bridge float on the Mississippi.

Foto: DPA
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First aid is performed on a survivor in the back of a pickup truck. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the disaster.

Foto: AP/ St. Paul Pioneer Press/ Brandi Jade Thomas/ www.twincities.com
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The woman in the pink shirt survived the collapse. She was driving the red car that can be seen in the background.

Foto: AP/ The Star Tribune