Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu, has sent a message of condolence to the government and people of the United States on the collapse of a bridge over the Mississippi River, which has claimed several lives.

In a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday, he said he was also praying for the souls of those who died in the accident and for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"The Chief Imam commends the rescue mission made up of divers and firemen who have been working around the clock to remove the vehicles and those who went down the River," the statement said. The accident occurred when the Interstate 35W bridge plummeted more than 60 feet into the Mississippi River last Wednesday afternoon. The authorities have said it is unknown how many cars were on the bridge during the collapse or how many victims were in the vehicles.