More than 70 Feared Dead in Portuguese Bridge CollapseMore than 70 people may have been killed in the bridge collapsed on Sunday in northern Portugal as a coach and two cars were crossing it, Portugal's Public Works Minister Jorge Coelho said.This is the first official number of the death toll. The official was quoted by Lusa News Agency as saying, "it is thought that 70 people have died." Rescue Efforts Halted by Heavy RainA 116-year-old bridge collapsed in northern Portugal at around 21:00 GMT Sunday and a coach carrying 67 people and two other vehicles with some 10 people plunged into the Douro river.The report quoted rescue officials as saying there was little chance of finding survivors in the deep and fast-running river. Rescue officials said that search for survivors were halted the fast-running water caused by the ongoing heavy rains and darkness, after they have found one body. The rescue efforts will resume at the daybreak. The official said at local television that there is no possibility to find any survivors. There are no foreigners on the double-deck coach, which was carrying local people returning from a day trip. The Portugal government has ordered an official inquiry into the accident. |
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