GenQ - For the not so straight individual

A catastrophic bridge collapse yesterday in Minneapolis, Michigan quickly turned into a recovery and rescue situation.

Around 6:00 PM, during Michigan's rush hour, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed, sending at least 50 vehicles, including a school bus full of children, crashing to the Mississippi river below, along with tons of concrete and twisted metal.

Over the course of the night, AP reports that authorities announced seven confirmed fatalities, later reducing the toll to four. They are expecting that death toll to go back up throughout the day as recovery continues, as the Hennepin County sheriff states that they do not expect to recover any more survivors.

The current injured count rests at around 62, a number of whom are reported critically injured.

There were repairs underway on the bridge's joints, deck, lights, and guardrails during the week, but there is no conclusive answer as to what caused the collapse.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation estimates that around 200,000 vehicles use the I-35W bridge daily.

The span was constructed in 1967 and rose 64 feet above the river.

This bridge collapse is raising questions on the state of repair of bridges throughout the country, leading many cities to begin inspections on the current safety of their own bridges.

All photos courtesy of AP