Frantic hunt for survivors amid horror

AT least 35 people were killed and dozens more feared dead after a motorway bridge in Italy collapsed.

In what witnesses called “apocalyptic scenes”, cars and other vehicles plunged hundreds of feet into a river valley.

The 260ft section of the Morandi bridge in Genoa gave way after being struck by lightning during a fierce storm.

Last night a desperate rescue operation was under way to find any survivors trapped in their vehicles or under rubble.

A baby is thought to be among the victims while two people are said to have died in their homes beneath the flyover.

Wreckage

Incredibly, two people have been pulled alive from cars found in the crumbled wreckage.

Genoa FC defender Domenico Criscito, 31, capped 24 times by Italy, revealed he was on the bridge just 10 minutes before it collapsed.

As the death toll rose, Italian government officials admitted it showed the dilapidated state of the country’s infrastructure.

Transport minister Danilo Toninelli said “those responsible will have to pay”.

His deputy Edoardo Rixi, who was born in Genoa, added: “It’s not acceptable that such an important bridge was not built to avoid this kind of collapse.”

Engineering experts warned two years ago that the “uneven” structure, built in 1967, should be demolished because no-one would pay for its “exorbitant” maintenance.

Rescuers hunting for survivors now fear explosions from damaged gas lines.

Fortunately two warehouses below were empty after being closed for holidays.

Defence minister Elisabetta Trenta said the army was ready to assist with the clear-up.

Meanwhile, shares in Atlantia, which runs many of the country’s motorways, fell 6.3%.