A massive bridge on 35W in Minneapolis collapsed on Wednesday sending over 50 cars into the mighty Mississippi river.  Initial reports said that seven people were dead. That number has been reduced to four but could grow as more than twenty people are still missing.

The eight-lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, was in the midst of being repaired and two lanes in each direction were closed when the bridge buckled during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending dozens of cars plummeting more than 60 feet into the Mississippi River.

Authorities were checking license numbers of the cars in the water. Getting the vehicles out of the water will involve moving around very large, heavy pieces of bridge.

“The bridge is still shifting,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan. “We’re dealing with the Mississippi River. We’re dealing with currents. We’re going to have to do it slowly and safely.”

Authorities lowered the death toll to four, but warned the final number could change as divers comb the wreckage for as many as 30 people still missing.

This story is very sad and disturbing that a heavy-use bridge like this could collapse during rush hour. Reports done on the bridge five years ago stated that many parts of it were fatigued and needed to be brought up to date.