Overpass in World Cup host city collapses

RIO DE JANEIRO - An overpass under construction collapsed Thursday in a Brazilian World Cup host city, killing at least two people, injuring 19 others and trapping a commuter bus, two construction trucks and one car, authorities said.

The incident took place on a main avenue, the expansion of which was part of the World Cup infrastructure plan but, like most urban mobility projects related to the Cup, was not finished on time for the event.

A woman who was driving a commuter bus trapped by the overpass died, said Capt. Federico Pascual of the Belo Horizonte fire department.

The overpass collapsed about 3 miles from the Mineirao soccer stadium, which has hosted several World Cup matches in recent weeks and will see the semifinal match next Tuesday.

Pascual said another 10 people were injured in the collapse, all construction workers working on the project.

The overpass "arched over a really busy thoroughfare," Pascual said.

He added that he feared there may be at least one more death, as "we still cannot get a look inside the car" that was trapped.