An investigation is under way after part of a bridge in eastern Germany collapsed early on Wednesday, disrupting a major traffic artery in Dresden and interrupting the city’s heating system.

No-one was injured when a section of the Carola Bridge fell into the Elbe River, the Dresden fire department said.

Emergency crews were alerted to the collapse shortly after 3am local time (2am BST).

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists who use the bridge to go between the city’s Old Town and New Town were told to avoid the area.

Boat traffic was also halted, affecting cargo ships and tourism sightseeing vessels.

A tram runs along the section of the bridge that collapsed, and pipes that are part of the city’s heating system were damaged as well.

Dresden is about 100 miles south of Berlin.