Italian bridge collapses

MILAN — A bridge over an industrial area in the Italian city of Genova partially collapsed during a sudden and violent storm on Tuesday, with reports of fatalities as vehicles were crushed in the rubble below.

At least 22 people were killed, said Edoardo Rixi, the country’s deputy transport minister, while rescuers at the scene said there had been “tens of victims”, other media reported.

Sniffer dogs were sent to work in the rubble to look for more injured and victims. In addition, heavy equipment was being moved in so they could lift pieces of the bridge.

The disaster occurred just before midday on a highway that connects Italy to France and other vacation resorts on the eve of a major Italian holiday on Wednesday, Ferragosto, and traffic would have been heavier than usual as many Italians traveled to beaches or mountains.

Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli called the collapse “an enormous tragedy”.

The private broadcaster Sky TG24 said that a 200meter section of the Morandi Bridge collapsed over an industrial zone. Firefighters said that there are concerns about gas lines.

Photos published by the ANSA news agency showed a huge gulf between two sections of the bridge.

Video captured the sound of a man screaming: “Oh god, oh, god.” Other images showed a green truck that had stopped just meters short of the gaping hole in the bridge.

Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said about 200 firefighters were responding to the accident.

“We are following minute by minute the situation of the bridge collapse in Genoa,” he said.

The Morandi Bridge was inaugurated in 1967. It is 90 meters high, over one kilometer long, with the longest section between supports measuring 200 meters.

The bridge is a main thoroughfare connecting the A10 highway that goes toward France and the A7 highway that continues north toward Milan.

ANSA said that authorities suspected that a structural weakness caused the collapse.

STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS Part of the A10 elevated freeway in Genoa, Italy, collapsed on Tuesday. At least 22 people were killed with about 20 vehicles involved. Part of the A10 elevated freeway in Genoa, Italy, collapsed on Tuesday. At least 22 people were killed with about 20 vehicles involved.