It was an apocalyptic scene, I couldn’t believe my eyes

DISASTER Huge section of the bridge DEVASTATION Section of the collapsed bridge BY LUCY THORNTON in Genoa and STEPHEN WHITE CARS and lorries plummeted 300ft when a motorway bridge collapsed, killing 35 people.

It is feared the death toll will rise after the 600ft central section fell on to rail tracks and buildings yesterday.

A baby was among victims of the horror near Genoa, Italy.

Italian transport minister Danilo Toninelli said the collapse appeared to be “an immense tragedy”.

But he said it showed the poor state of the country’s infrastructure, adding: “Those responsible will have to pay.”

Video footage appeared to show a RESCUE Casualty is lowered in stretcher central tower of the Morandi bridge collapsing in stormy weather.

A man can be heard screaming: “Oh God, oh God, oh God.” Some witnesses said the bridge was hit by lightning.

Flashes could be seen as huge concrete columns fractured and fell.

Witness Alessandro Megna was stuck in a traffic jam below. He said: “Suddenly the bridge came down with everything it was carrying. It was really an apocalyptic scene, I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

Police linked the disaster to a “violent cloudburst” and a “structural failure”. Nearly 300 emergency workers attended the scene, some with sniffer dogs to help search the rubble for victims.

Heavy lifting gear also arrived to remove pieces of the bridge. Firefighters were worried about gas pipes exploding in the area due to the collapse.

Sixteen injured people were taken from the scene by air ambulance, five seriously hurt. At least four people were pulled alive from the twisted concrete and steel.

A train packed with passengers arriving from Genoa airport had been scheduled to pass under the bridge 10 minutes after it collapsed. One image posted by emergency services showed a truck perched close to the end of a section of bridge still standing. Two HGVs were pictured overturned, wheels in the air and smashed into ppieces, as rescue workers searched the area. Another image showed a white Renault saloon completely flattened.

The tragedy came on the eve of major Italian holiday Ferragosto, meaning traffic would have been heavier than usual as many people travelled to beaches or the mountains.

Last night, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte headed to the disaster scene and put the army on standby to assist with rescue efforts.

Deputy transport minister Edoardo Rixi said: “It’s not acceptable that such an important bridge … was not built to avoid this kind of collapse. People living in Genoa use this twice a day, we can’t live with infrastructures built in the 1950s and 60s.”

The bridge opened in 1967, spanning the Polcevera river, a railway line, residential property and industrial units. The highway is a major artery

ALESSANDRO MEGNA WAS IN TRAFFIC BELOW