At least two people were killed when part of an elevated bike lane built ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was hit by a strong wave and collapsed on to the beach below, authorities in Brazil have said.
Rio municipal secretary Pedro Paulo Carvalho said a third person was thought to be missing following the incident.
He said an investigation was underway to determine what caused the accident on the Tim Maia Bike Path, which was inaugurated in mid-January and connects the beachfront neighbourhoods of Leblon and Sao Conrado.
The structure snakes alongside a beachfront highway, perched high above the water on concrete and metal pillars set into the rocky cliff.
Mr Carvalho declined to answer questions about whether shoddy workmanship may have been to blame for the accident.
He said it appeared the 50m stretch collapsed after being struck beneath by a strong wave.
Ambulances were dispatched to the scene and helicopters hovered over the beach.
Olympics
Rio de Janeiro is hosting this year’s summer games, which begin in August, and the bike lane was among the legacy projects for the event.
While no Olympic event will be held on the path itself, the collapse is likely to add to concerns about the country’s readiness to host the Olympics.
In the weeks after it was opened, local newspapers also featured photos of its speedy deterioration, showing missing handrails and rusting metal parts.
The bike path runs parallel to a road high above the sea that will be used for the road cycling event in the Olympics.
The collapse happened just hours after the flame for South America's first Olympics was kindled in Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient games.
PA