Vehicles are scattered along the broken remains of the Interstate 35W bridge, which stretches between Minneapolis and St. Paul, after it collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour on Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water. - AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

Divers searched the Mississippi River for bodies still trapped beneath the twisted debris of a collapsed freeway bridge, as finger-pointing began yesterday over a federal report two years ago that found the bridge was "structurally deficient."

The official death count from Wednesday evening's collapse stood at four, but Police Chief Tim Dolan said more bodies were in the water. As many as 30 people were reported missing, and the rescue effort had shifted to recovery. Hospital officials said 79 people were injured.

A strong current and low visibility hampered the search, and divers were pulled out of the water yesterday afternoon so it could be lowered, said Inspector Jeff Storms of the sheriff's department. Twelve vehicles had been located in the river, officials said.

More casualties

"We have a number of vehicles that are underneath big pieces of concrete, and we do know we have some people in those vehicles," Dolan said. "We know we do have more casualties at the scene."

The eight-lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, was in the midst of repairs when it buckled during the evening rush hour. Dozens of cars plummeted more than 60 feet (18 metres) into the Mississippi River, some falling on top one of another. A school bus sat on the angled concrete.

The bridge was Minnesota's busiest, and carried approximately 100,000 vehicles per day.