Girl dies, several feared missing in French bridge collapse

A 15-year-old girl has been killed after a suspension bridge over a river in southwest France collapsed, causing a car, a truck and possibly a third vehicle to plunge into the water, local authorities say.

Four people were rescued but several others were feared missing after the collapse of the bridge between Mirepoix-sur-Tarn and Bessieres, 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Toulouse, said fire service and local security chief Etienne Guyot on Monday.

The central part of the 155-meter (510-foot) bridge, measuring 6.5 meters wide, was submerged by the fast-flowing Tarn river.

A car bonnet could be seen sticking out of the water as helicopters circled overhead and emergency workers in inflatable boats searched for survivors.

Over 60 emergency service members, including divers, were taking part in the rescue operation, Guyot told reporters, adding that there were "probably several missing."

Among those feared missing were the truck driver and the driver of a potential third vehicle, Guyot said, adding that witnesses had reported seeing a van on the bridge.

The dead girl was traveling by car across the bridge with her mother when it collapsed.

Her body was retrieved from the river, which is 100 meters wide and over 20 meters deep at the level of the bridge.

The girl's mother was pulled alive from the sunken car by bystanders, some of whom were badly injured in the rescue attempt.

Two rescue workers were also seriously hurt, according to the region's security department.

SS