Bridge dead buried amid family anger
DEVASTATED family and friends of victims of the Genoa bridge collapse mourned their relatives in a state funeral yesterday.
Coffins covered in white roses were lined up as a sense of anger swept through Italy.
Furious mourners booed and jeered the arrival of former leader Maurizio Martina, whose Democratic Party was in charge until last year’s election.
A hard-hitting report from motorway operator Autostrade warned about the condition of the bridge in 2017.
Meanwhile, the country’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini was welcomed by mourners along with Italian president Sergio Mattarella and prime minister Giuseppe Conte. They were there alongside members of the Genoa football team and a number of other dignitaries.
Some relatives boycotted the service completely.
Father Mauro Brezzo, chaplain of Genoa’s San Martino hospital, said: “Many do not want to take part in a showcase and I understand them.”
Fears have been raised over the state of transport networks across Italy following the sudden collapse of a section of the Morandi motorway bridge, sending drivers to their deaths.
The death toll stands at 41 but more people are reported to be missing.
A national day of mourning, led by the Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, was also held yesterday.
Fears have been raised that a broken cable rod sparked the disaster, which is being probed by the Italian government.