‘Immense tragedy’ as Italy motorway bridge collapses

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ROME, Aug 14, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – A section of a giant motorway bridge
collapsed Tuesday in Genoa, injuring several people in what Italy’s transport
minister said was an “immense tragedy.”

Some Italian media, citing sources within the interior ministry, said
that at least 11 people had died, though it was not immediately possible to
confirm this figure.

Rescuers scouring through the wreckage after part of a viaduct of the A10
freeway collapsed said there were “tens of victims”, while images from the
scene showed an entire carriageway plunged on to railway lines below.

Cars and trucks were trapped in the rubble and nearby buildings damaged.

Italian media reported that 200 metres (650 feet) of the “Morandi” bridge
had fallen away.

The Italian fire service said that the viaduct, located in an industrial
area in the west of the city, collapsed at around noon (1000 GMT).

“I’m following with the utmost apprehension what is happening in Genoa
and what looks like it could be an immense tragedy,” transport and
infrastructure minister Danilo Toninelli said on Twitter.

Italy’s far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini said he was following
events in Genoa “up to the minute” and thanked the emergency services for
their swift response.

A fire service spokesperson told AFP that the bridge had mostly fallen on
rail tracks 100 metres (yards) below and that “cars and trucks” had fallen
with the rubble.

“Firefighters are working together and teams of rescuers and police
sniffer dogs have been mobilised,” emergency services said on Twitter.

Genoa is located between the sea and the mountains of northwestern
Italy. Its rugged terrain means that motorways that run through the city and
the surrounding area are characterised by long viaducts and tunnels.