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Tragedy struck in the American city of Minneapolis late Wednesday, as a major interstate bridge collapsed during rush hour, sending about 60 cars and their occupants tumbling into the Mississippi River below.

No fewer than four persons were certified dead, while at least 30 are missing. About 60 people with varying degrees of injuries were reportedly rushed to hospitals even as authorities warned that the death toll could rise.

It could not be immediately ascertained if any Nigerian was involved in the accident which occurred barely 24 hours to the start of a one-night show by Afro beat star, Femi Anikulapo Kuti in the state of Minnesota. The artiste was billed to perform at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, a suburb of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, on Thursday night.

Vehicles were crawling bumper to bumper on the busy Interstate-35W when the 40-year old bridge spanning the Mississippi River suddenly caved in at about 6.05 pm local time (12.00am Nigerian time).
Construction workers were about to begin a night-shift work to repair portions of the eight-lane bridge when it collapsed. In the hours after the incident, at least one out of the 20 construction workers could not be accounted for.

Dozens of vehicles plunged into the river, while several somersaulted into the roadways below. Some others were trapped in the V-shaped hollow where the bridge had caved in. A long cargo train passing under the bridge as it collapsed was severed in two by the massive concrete slabs tumbling down from above.

Many vehicles were on fire and people were seen attempting to swim out of the river to safety. On the east bank of the river was a massive crumpled wreckage and a huge section of concrete roadway lay on the west bank even as rescue workers scrambled to help people get out of the water.
Many commuters, momentarily dazed by the horrific incident, quickly scampered away from the scene.

Moments after, hundreds of police officers, emergency workers and volunteers converged on the area, sifting through the mangled steel of wrecked vehicles, frantically searching for possible survivors. All ambulances in Minneapolis were summoned to the scene.
It was a miracle of sorts for a school bus carrying about 60 Minneapolis children. The bus fell from the bridge and landed on four tyres near the parkway, missing the water by a few meters. The horrified kids and their mentors frantically exited the bus through the back door. Several of the children and at least two adults were treated for injuries. The bus that fell was returning from a day-camp swimming trip sponsored by a White House summer programme.

"This is a catastrophe of historic proportions for Minnesota ," state governor, Tim Pawlenty said. He noted that the bridge was inspected by the Minnesota Department of Transportation in 2005 and also in 2006, saying no structural defects were discovered. He admitted, however, that there were "some minor things that needed attention."

No reason was immediately adduced for the collapse of the bridge. The American government has, however, ruled out terrorism. Homeland Security Secretary, Michael Chertoff, issued a statement on Wednesday night saying there was no indication of terrorism.
It is believed that over100,000 cars use the Interstate 35W bridge on a typical weekday.
Meanwhile, American President, George Bush on Thursday offered his condolences to victims of the disaster, saying the Federal Government would help ensure the bridge was rebuilt as soon as possible.

"We in the Federal Government must respond, and respond robustly, to help the people there not only recover, but to make sure that lifeline of activity, that bridge, gets rebuilt as quickly as possible," Bush said in the Rose Garden of the White House after a Cabinet meeting.

The Federal Government, however, said an inspection two years ago found structural deficiencies in the bridge, a sharp contrast to the claim of Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty.
The Interstate 35W span rated 50 on a scale of 120 for structural stability, White House press secretary Tony Snow said.
First lady, Laura Bush, is scheduled to visit Minneapolis to console victims of the disaster.