Russia: One dead as bridge collapses on railway tracks

Six of the seven spans collapsed on Monday

A road bridge has collapsed on railway tracks in western Russia, killing a woman and injuring another five people, local officials say.

All train traffic was halted after Monday's incident in the town of Vyazma, Smolensk region, they say.

About 8,000 households were without gas as pipelines were also damaged.

The cause of the Paninsky overpass's collapse is being investigated. One news channel suggests it was most likely because of its old age.

Local residents "repeatedly asked the authorities to repair the overpass", the 112 Telegram channel says.

Several vehicles were believed to be on the bridge when it collapsed.

Later pictures from the scene showed an overturned car and a lorry.

Regional Governor Vasiliy Anokhin says six of the bridge's seven spans collapsed.

Three of the injured people have been sent to the capital Moscow, and a 14-year-old girl is being treated in a local hospital.

"My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased woman," Mr Anokhin wrote in a post on social media.

The governor adds that more than 160 emergency personnel are working at the scene through the night to restore the train traffic as soon as possible.