After three people were killed and four injured when a Mississippi bridge collapsed on Wednesday, the federal government has reached out to state officials to discuss what might have caused the premature collapse.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a social media post that the Federal Highway Administration was “engaging state officials” concerning the bridge collapsing in Simpson County.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 had been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 as part of a bridge replacement project. Seven men were working to tear the bridge down when it gave way and plummeted nearly 40 feet.
“I’ve been briefed on the premature collapse during demolition of a bridge on State Route 149 in Mississippi,” Buttigieg wrote. “FHWA is engaging state officials concerning this incident. Our thoughts are with the workers who were injured and lost their lives, and with their families.”
Gov. Tate Reeves said he was “praying hard” after sending state resources to the scene in Simpson County to aid local first responders.
The Department of Transportation is expected to share more information with the public as it becomes available.
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