2 Killed, 64 Hurt as Israeli Bridge Falls
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TEL AVIV — A bridge leading to a stadium collapsed Monday as opening ceremonies for an international sports competition were about to begin, hurling dozens of Jewish athletes into a river. Two people died and 64 others were injured, police said.
The bridge, a temporary wooden span festooned with Israeli flags, broke apart while athletes were gathering for the 15th World Maccabiah Games, an Olympic-style event that drew about 5,600 Jewish athletes this year.
All the injured were from the 370-member Australian delegation, the first to cross the bridge to Ramat Gan Stadium for the athletes’ parade before a crowd of about 45,000 spectators.
Australian team manager Harry Purcell said about 100 athletes were on the bridge when it suddenly plunged 48 feet into the Yarkon River.
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