SWEETWATER, Fla. — At least six people are dead after a newly built pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University Thursday, injuring several others and crushing several vehicles under massive slabs.

Fire Chief Dave Downey said at a news briefing Thursday evening that six deceased people had been found at the scene by first responders. He also says nine victims were removed "early on" and taken to hospitals. But he did not elaborate on their conditions. During a Friday morning briefing, Miami-Dade police have confirmed the number of fatalities has increased to at least six people.

He says "search and rescue mode" is continuing after nightfall.

Gov. Rick Scott also spoke to reporters, saying "everybody is working hard to make sure we rescue anyone who can be rescued." The Florida governor adds that an investigation will get to the bottom of "why this happened and what happened." He adds that if anyone had done anything wrong, "we will hold them accountable."

A doctor at Kendall Regional Medical Center said they received 10 patients, two of whom were "extremely critical" and underwent emergency surgery. The other eight patients are in serious condition.

More than 100 members of search and rescue crews, including K-9 units, are combing through the pile of wreckage to find "viable victims," officials said.

"The main focus is to rescue people," Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said at a 4 p.m. news conference. "As soon as those efforts are over, our homicide bureau will take the lead."

Police are telling drivers and pedestrians to avoid the area of Tamiami Trail and SW 107 Avenue "indefinitely."

THE FIU BRIDGE COLLAPSED OH MY GOD pic.twitter.com/JO7jfx5AoN — Gabriela Collazo (@GabrielaRose12) March 15, 2018

The span, which connects the campus to a dorm, was installed over the weekend and was expected to open to foot traffic next year.

"We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrians bridge," the university said in a tweet. "At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information."

The company that built the bridge, Munilla Construction Management, said the bridge was under construction when it "experienced a catastrophic collapse."

"Our family's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this terrible tragedy. The new UniversityCity Bridge, which was under construction, experienced a catastrophic collapse causing injuries and loss of life," the company said in a tweeted statement.

"MCM is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist. We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and will cooperate with investigators on scene in every way."

The Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract took its website down on Thursday.

But an archived version of the website featured a news release touting the project:

"This our first Design-Build with FIGG Bridge Engineers, a nationally acclaimed, award-winning firm based out of Tallahassee. FIGG has designed iconic bridges all over the country, including Boston's famous Leonard P. Zakim Bridge and Florida's Sunshine Skyway Bridge."

FIGG said in a statement it was "stunned by today's tragic collapse."

"In our 40-year history, nothing like this has ever happened before. Our entire team mourns the loss of life and injuries associated with this devastating tragedy, and our prayers go out to all involved."

The $14.2 million bridge crossed over a busy seven-lane highway that divided the university's campus from Sweetwater. The 950-ton, 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the road and installed on Saturday to great fanfare.

The "accelerated bridge construction" method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimize traffic disruption, the university said.

"FIU is about building bridges and student safety," FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg said in a statement released Saturday. "This project accomplishes our mission beautifully."

About 54,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the university. They are on spring break this week, according to an academic calendar posted to FIU's website.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said President Donald Trump would offer whatever support was needed, while Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that he was headed to the location.

The National Transportation Safety Board has sent investigators to the scene.