Three dead as bridge in Mississippi collapses

At least three people have died and four are critically injured after a Mississippi bridge, in the process of being demolished, collapsed, authorities say.

The deaths and injuries were confirmed by Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins, WLBT-TV reported.

The Simpson County coroner's office was responding to the scene but did not provide any additional details, WJTV-TV said.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said the bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, about 64km south of Jackson, had been closed to traffic since September 18 as part of a bridge replacement project handled by contractor T.L. Wallace.

Details of how the accident occurred were not immediately available.

Department spokesperson Anna Ehrgott said the agency "would share more information with the public as it becomes available."