The city of Baltimore has woken up in shock this morning after a major bridge in the US city of Baltimore snapped and plunged into the Patapsco River.

The city’s mayor has called the event an “unspeakable tragedy” and confirmed that construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed.

A state of emergency has been declared in Maryland while a huge search operation is under way for at least seven people.

HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 presenter

GUESTS: • Dr Stergios Aristoteles, Head of Structures at the University of Birmingham • Justin Fenton, an investigative reporter at The Baltimore Banner • Tom Bateman, BBC State Department Correspondent

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This episode was made by Keiligh Baker with Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The series producer is George Dabby. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.