Genoa bridge collapse death toll rises to 42 as funerals take place

GENOA: Italy’s president spoke quiet words of comfort to families of many of the dead in the Genoa bridge collapse at a state funeral held on the city’s fairgrounds.

The unofficial death toll in Tuesday’s disaster rose to 42 early yesterday after rescuers found four bodies.

Families of 19 of the dead had their loved ones’ coffins brought to a fairgrounds pavilion for the funeral led by Genoa Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. Among the coffins was that of an Albanian man who worked in Italy.

Other funerals on Friday saw angry mourners who blame the authorities for failing to keep the bridge safe.

The collapse of Morandi Bridge over a dry riverbed “lacerated the heart of Genoa”, said Bagnasco. In his brief homily, he encouraged citizens to show solidarity, and said “we can build new bridges to walk together” to rise above the tragedy.

Italian RAI state radio said the body of the last person missing was that of a 30-year-old man.

A few hours earlier, the bodies of an Italian couple and their 9-year-old daughter were found in their smashed car under a block of concrete, part of tons of material that crashed 4m when the heavily trafficked major highway span gave way. Relatives had said the family, from northern Italy, had been travelling to catch a ferry for the island of Elba while on vacation.

RAI said authorities now believe there are no more missing after an elderly German man called officials to say he wasn’t involved in the disaster.

Genoa’s prefect’s office said it didn’t immediately have official confirmation of the media reports.

Before the state funeral began, President Sergio Mattarella, head bowed, paused in silence before the coffins, then spoke briefly with each group of families.

On each coffin were names of the dead. Photographs of those who perished, flowers, and on at least one coffin, a signed soccer jersey, a small sports trophy and a stuffed animal added personal touches. – Ap/african News Agency (ANA)