US President George W. Bush on Saturday expressed sorrow at the loss of life when an eight-lane bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River and vowed to help rebuild it as quickly as possible.
"Like millions of Americans, I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news that the I-35 bridge gave way during rush hour," he said in his weekly radio address, as he headed to Minnesota to see the damage for himself.
Bush said he and First Lady Laura Bush "join all Americans in mourning those who lost their lives and in sending our thoughts and prayers to their families. And we pray that those injured will make a full recovery."
Five people have been confirmed dead and eight are still reported missing from the disaster in this city in the US heartland, with vehicles still submerged in the vast river. Around 80 people were injured.
Bush noted that Washington was speeding five million dollars to Minnesota for debris removal and to help restore the flow of traffic and called it "just the beginning" of financial assistance.