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Police and first responders work on the scene at the footbridge collapse site in Miami, Florida, the United States, March 15, 2018. A pedestrian footbridge near Florida International University (FIU) collapsed Thursday afternoon, causing "several fatalities," local authorities said. (Xinhua/Monica McGivern)

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A pedestrian footbridge near Florida International University (FIU) Thursday afternoon, causing "several fatalities," local authorities said.

The bridge, which was largely installed on Saturday but still under construction, was supposed to link a FIU campus with a nearby residence area. The collapsing infrastructure has trapped multiple passersby and vehicles underneath. Local media quoted Florida Highway patrol as saying that several people were killed.

The FIU said in a statement that it is "shocked and saddened by the tragic incident," and is cooperating with first responders to rescue victims and gather information.

Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department confirmed on social media that "multiple patients" have been injured and that search and rescue efforts are still underway.