This is very breaking news...

The Interstate 35W Bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN, has completely collapsed into the river shortly after 6:00pm local time. 50+ vehicles, including one school bus, are involved in the collapse. There is no confirmed number of people injured (at least 30) or killed. The cause is also unknown.

More updates and photos to follow as soon as possible. I am watching this live on TV and it is unlike anything I have ever seen... it looks like a major earthquake has just struck.

Here's a great live video feed, click here, thanks to community member JasonBo.

here are the coordinates

44°58'44.62"N
93°14'41.79"W

Yahoo Slideshow

*Fixed* Kare 11 video reflector

My Fox 9 Reflector

http://www.cnn.com/video/live/live.html?stream=stream1

Raw video from wcco channel 4
http://wcco.com/video/?id=29669@wcco.dayport.com

Slideshow
http://wcco.com/slideshows/local_slideshow_213194533

Live from KARE channel 11
http://www.kare11.com/video/player_live.aspx

KSTP Channel 5 slideshow
http://www.kstp.com/

MSNBC Video

I-35W Bridge
I-35W Mississippi River Crossing
Minneapolis, MN


• Structure ID: NBI: 9340.
• Location: River Mile 853.20.
• River Elevation: 725 Feet.
• Highway: I-35W.
• Daily Traffic Count: 140,000 (2002).
• Bridge Type: Steel Arch Deck Truss Bridge.
• Length: 1,907 Feet, 458 Foot Longest Span.
• Width: 8 Traffic Lanes, 108 Feet.
• Navigation Channel Width: 390 Feet.
• Height Above Water: 64 Feet.
• Date Built: Opened November 1967.


Claim to fame: was built with a single 458 foot long steel arch to avoid putting any piers in the water to impede river navigation.
This bridge features an anti-ice system. A series of PVC pipes carries a deicer fluid to outlets that are drilled into the deck of the bridge. When the temperature for ice is right, the deicer fluid is pumped onto the bridge deck. This system has proven to be successful enough that it is being installed on other bridges in Minnesota.



Source MSP Bridges

MYFOX 9 reports ground breaking ceremony for the new twins stadium scheduled for tommrow has been canceled

Thanks for the wonderful information, Jason.

The slideshows you have provided show horrific photos.

Let's hope for the best for the victims and their families.

i think my post with the overlay is the best until now... since it not a 90degree angle from above shot it's not easy... but i tried the best i could...: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/963205/an/0/page/0#963205


and my deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy....

From YouTube

Here are the latest facts...

4 dead
70+ injured
20-30 missing

Crews have not begun the recovery mission in the Mississippi River because it is just too dangerous. Most of the missing are believed in be in the river, and thus, unfortunately, the number of casualties may rise drastically.

In the past two years, inspections have shown problems with the I-35W bridge. After Department of Homeland Security officials have surveyed the site, they confidentially believe this accident was not terrorism-related.

Many events in downtown Minneapolis have been postponed lately because transportation is too difficult (events including the Minnesota Twins baseball game and the ground-breaking ceremony for the Twins new baseball stadium).

Facts taken from this local news website; the site also provides extensive coverage.

I would also like to say that I, and every person I have talked to today in the Twin Cities, have received many phone calls regarding our safety. We are so thankful for the concern, and are happy to see the nation come together in a time of great tragedy. The citizens of the Twin Cities are truly feeling the prayers that people from around the world have sent. Thank you.

The four, as identified Thursday night by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner:

Sherry Lou Engebretsen, 60, of Shoreview, who died of multiple blunt force injuries.


Julia Blackhawk, 32, of Savage, who died of blunt force trauma.

Patrick Holmes, 36, of Moundsview, who drowned.

Artemio Trinidad-Mena, 29, of Minneapolis, who died of blunt force injuries.

Check Channel 9 or 11 feed

update 12:10pm central