Death toll in US bridge collapse up to seven: mayor

MINNEAPOLIS (AFP) - The death toll in the collapse of a bridge Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has climbed to seven, an official said, adding that he expected the toll to rise.

"At this point we have seven confirmed fatalities, and we expect that number to go up as well," said Minneapolis Fire Chief Jim Clack.

He said that more than 60 people were sent to hospitals, and added that rescue operations in the river had been halted due to darkness.

"There's too much debris in the river to continue in the river tonight," he said in a press conference.