A 15-year-old girl has died after a suspension bridge collapsed over the River Tarn in southern France, the local authority has confirmed.
A rescue operation is underway after the bridge - which connects the towns of Mirepoix-sur-Tarn and Bessieres near Toulouse - came crashing down just after 8am on Monday morning.
Dramatic photos shared on social media show wires dangling in the air while the gangway itself lies half-submerged in the river.
A 15-year-old girl's body was pulled from the water, Toulouse prosecutor Dominique Alzeari told local media at the scene. Her mother was reportedly rescued by onlookers.
Fire service and local security chief Etienne Guyot also told reporters that more than 60 rescue workers including divers and 40 police were taking part in the search for survivors.
The local authority of Occitaine and Haute-Garonne released a statement saying that the bridge, which was built in 1931, collapsed just after 8am.
It confirmed the fatality, adding that at least one car and one HGV had also been affected.
