Time:20:43 p.m. CEST
Embed from Getty ImagesPedestrian bridge in construction collapsed at Florida International University on March 15, 2018. causing injuries and damage. The Miami-Dade County fire chief says four people have been found dead in the rubble of a collapsed pedestrian bridge in South Florida.
Fire Chief Dave Downey said at a news briefing Thursday evening that four deceased people had been found at the scene by first responders. He also says nine victims were removed “early on” and taken to hospitals.
“We have multiple victims, the number hasn’t been determined yet,” Miami Dade County Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp said at a late afternoon news conference. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Division Chief Paul Estopinan said eight vehicles were trapped under the bridge and eight victims were transported to the hospital. Next news conference, according to the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department was scheduled approximately for 7:00 p.m. local time.
Shortly after the incident, the company, Munilla Construction Management reacted with posts published to their Facebook page, expressing distress and referring to a loss of life. In a statement published, it said the bridge was “under construction.” The statement, giving information that the bridge was under construction, provoked reactions by residents challenging the way of construction in Miami.
The company promised “thorough investigation,” to find what transpired. Couple of days before this incident, the company announced that on Saturday, March 10, 2018, they “will be positioning a 174-foot section of the Florida International University-Sweetwater University City Bridge.” The company noted as a fun fact the bridge weights 950 tons, “equivalent to approximately 271 elephants.” Hours after the accident, the company had that statement on their Facebook page with residents commenting the incident.
In a statement, Florida International University said they “are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge.” FIU explained, “We are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation, BBC News reports, funded the bridge that costs $14.2 million. It is 174 ft (53m) cable-supported footbridge. As the National Public Radio reports, senior project manager Rodrigo Isaza, from, MCM said, “It is largest pedestrian bridge move via Self-Propelled Modular Transportation in U.S.” MCM collaborated with FIGG Bridge Engineers to design and build the bridge.
Aleksandra Dukovska 