North of Toulouse, a road bridge collapsed. A car and a truck had fallen on Monday morning in the river Tarn, reported several French media.
Rescue workers were deployed in Mirepoix-sur-Tarn. "The bridge has collapsed completely, we know with certainty that two vehicles crashed, a third vehicle was seen," said a spokesman for the fire department the station BFMTV.
According to the fire department at least nine people were injured, two of them were in mortal danger. Around 80 task forces were on site, and three helicopters were in action.
Un pont suspendu s'effondre dans la riviere à Mirepoix-sur-Tarn au nord de Toulouse. Au moins trois blessés ( @ olecorre) https://t.co/xPMeHUOeCL pic.twitter.com/tIW0eORhaR
- Sébastien Marcelle (@SebMarcelle) November 18, 2019Media reported at least one dead, several people would be missing. The bridge collapsed between 8 o'clock and 8.30 o'clock, wrote the regional newspaper "La Dépêche du Midi". Accordingly, a truck drove onto the bridge, which was heavier than allowed.
"I was in my bathroom at 8:00 am Monday morning and heard a tremendous noise," local resident Philippe Duguet told the newspaper. "I live 300 meters from this bridge and it is a route that I often take."
The fire department called on motorists to avoid the area. The 150 meter long and five meter wide suspension bridge connected the villages of Mirepoix-sur-Tarn and Bessières. It was built in 1935 and renovated in 2003.
Photos show rescue workers searching for victims with inflatable boats on the river. Also divers are in use. The middle part of the suspension bridge is apparently completely under water.
