A bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania state, collapsed early Friday morning, just hours before President Joe Biden’s visit to the U.S. city where he planned to highlight the need to improve the country’s deteriorating infrastructure.
Local authorities reported that at least 10 people were injured. It is not yet clear what caused the road collapse.
President Biden was briefed on the incident, according to a White House statement. He subsequently visited the scene of the incident and commented, “It’s unbelievable.”
“Our team is in contact with state and local officials on the ground as they continue to gather information about the cause of the collapse.” tweeted White House press secretary Jen Psaki. “The president is grateful to the members of the emergency services who rushed to the aid of drivers who were on the bridge at the time.”
Following the incident, Biden finally visited Mill 19 in Pittsburgh, what was once a major metals-producing complex and is now a center for development in artificial intelligence, automation and robotics.
The visit was designed to promote the administration’s effort to strengthen the global supply chain, boost manufacturing and the nation’s infrastructure, a key selling point for Democrats ahead of November’s midterm elections.
* With reporting by Voice of America reporter Patsy Widakuswara from Washington, DC.
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