Sagging prompts closure of Finnish bridge

The deck of the Myllysilta, or Mill Bridge, in the Finnish city of Turku has sagged suddenly by about 1m, prompting its closure.

The local council estimates that the bridge over the Aura River may be out of use for up to a year.

Steps have been taken to prevent it collapsing into the river and engineers are assessing the structure. The reason for the damage is not yet clear though local reports refer to suggestions that pack ice in the river has dislodged the foundations.

The 93m-long and 20m-wide bridge was built in 1975.