Four Killed after Foot Bridge Collapses onto Rio Road

A pedestrian overpass spanning a busy road in Rio de Janeiro collapsed after being struck by a truck on Tuesday, killing four people below, officials said.

The shattered metal walkway fell onto the Linha Amarela (the yellow line), one of the main access roads to downtown Rio.

Television images showed at least two cars at the scene that had been completely totaled.

"The accident occurred when the truck hit the walkway," said officials at Lamsa, the private firm responsible for maintaining the road.

At least four people were also injured in the accident, officials said.

Traffic was shut down in both directions on the roadway, which on a typical day carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles.

Mayor Eduardo Paes promised to take measures to ease congestion during the road closure.

Rio plays host in June to the World Cup football championships and the Summer Olympic games in 2016.