Flyover tragedy embarrassment for Brazil

The collapse in the World Cup host city is an embarrassment for a country that has been basking in praise for what has mostly been a smoothly running tournament.

The city government released a statement saying officials had counted two dead and 19 
injured. There was no word on whether foreign tourists 
were among those killed or injured.

Authorities did not think the casualty numbers would rise too sharply, although they said they had not yet reached a small passenger car that was flattened by the falling flyover. It was not known if anyone inside the car escaped or remained inside. Officials said they would be working through the night trying to free the car.

The incident is the biggest embarrassment yet for Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup, which has been carried out with less chaos than many had feared.

There were initially serious concerns about the ability of the country’s airports and roads to handle the influx of tourists.

After Brazil was awarded the World Cup in 2007, politicians promised billions would be spent on 56 airports, subway lines and other such projects nationwide. But fewer than 10 of the infrastructure projects were completed before the tournament, including the one of which the flyover that collapsed in Belo Horizonte was part.

It is not known what caused the flyover to fail.

Among the dead was a woman who was driving a commuter bus trapped by the flyover, said the fire department.

The flyover is about three miles from Mineirao stadium, which has hosted several World Cup matches and is the venue for a semi-final on Tuesday.