Overpass Collapses in Brazilian World Cup Host City; at Least 2 Dead

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By Ben Tavener2014-07-03 19:21:58 UTC

This story is developing. We will continue to update as we obtain more information.

SÃO PAULO — An overpass in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte collapsed Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring 19 others, the local fire department told Mashable. Belo Horizonte is one of Brazil's 12 World Cup host cities.

The overpass, which was under construction, crashed onto at least four vehicles — a bus, two vans and a car.

Captain Frederico Pascoal, from the Minas Gerais state fire department, told Mashable that two deaths could be confirmed at this time; one was on the bus, and the location of the other was not immediately clear. Pascoal said the death toll was likely to rise, however, as crew at the scene had not yet been able to gain access to the car trapped under the collapsed road section.

The overpass was under construction at the time of its collapse, and at least two vans, one car and a bus were trapped when it fell. The fire department said the two vans involved belong to the company responsible for building the overpass, and that, according to that company, no one was believed to be in the vans at the time.

Those injured in the incident are in the process of being transferred to local hospitals, and their condition is not thought to be life-threatening, according to initial information from the fire department.

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Topics: Brazil, US & World, World, world cup