Floods, bridge collapse halt Trans-Siberian trains

Russian President Vlimir Putin urged officials Friday to quickly restore service on Trans-Siberian Railway that was halted by a bridge collapse following heavy rains.

Dozens of trains remain stuck on 9,289-kilometer (5,772-mile) railro line.

Spanning eight time zones across Russia from Moscow to Pacific port of Vlivostok, railway line is longest in world.

No one was hurt when part of bridge collapsed Friday near Nizhnyaya Kuenga in Trans-Baikal region east of Lake Baikal.

Putin said officials h pledged to get trains moving again on section of railway in 2 1/2 days, while second link should resume operation in five days.

Russian president also instructed officials to take urgent measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of food and or essential items to regions affected by interruption.