Recovery efforts are back underway this morning in Minneapolis, after a Wednesday evening bridge collapse over the Mississippi River. The catastrophe left at least nine people dead, 20 people missing, and 60 people injured.
In a Thursday morning press briefing, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said it's a horrible tragedy and his heart goes out to the families of all the victims. Pawlenty pledged the state will do all it can to respond quickly to the needs of the emergency.
The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan says terrorism isn't likely but they'll be doing a thorough investigation. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board will be on hand this morning.
Governor Pawlenty says the bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006. He says no structural deficiencies were found during either of those inspections, only cosmetic issues.
The Red Cross's Ted Canova says offers of help in the recovery and relief efforts have flooded in. He's urging those who want to help to give blood or donate to relief efforts. Offers for help have started to come in from across the country.
Audio courtesy of Minnesota News Network .
