BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, (Reuters) – An unfinished overpass collapsed in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte yesterday, killing at least one person and casting a shadow over a tournament that has suffered repeated construction accidents and delays.
The bridge, located about two miles (3 km) from the Mineirao Stadium where World Cup games are being played, collapsed as vehicles were passing on a busy road underneath.
Part of a passenger bus was crushed and another car was still trapped in the wreckage hours later.
The collapsed bridge stretched over one of the major thoroughfares connecting the stadium area with the international airport. It was part of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that officials had promised would be ready for the World Cup.
Groups of people gathered around the scene of the accident, some shouting furiously.
“This is the incompetence of our authorities and our businesses,” said Leandro Brito, 23, a bank worker. “Because of the World Cup they sped everything up to finish faster. That’s why this tragedy has happened. They are not making things properly. Everyone is very angry.”
Heavy government spending on the World Cup, and long delays building infrastructure projects, spurred violent street protests across Brazil over the past year, although they have died down in recent weeks and the tournament has gone more smoothly than many fans and government officials had expected.
Still, several projects were plagued by fatal construction accidents. Eight workers died building stadiums in the 12 cities that have hosted games.
Via Twitter on Thursday, President Dilma Rousseff offered her government’s assistance to local authorities if needed.
