At least 21 people were killed and numerous others were injured Tuesday when a bus powered by methane crashed off a bridge in Venice and caught fire.
“A tragedy has struck our community this evening”, wrote Mayor Luigi Brugnaro on Facebook, describing the crash site as an apocalyptic scene.
“The provisional toll is at least 21 fatalities and over 20 people hospitalized”, stated Luca Zaia, the governor of Venice, lamenting a tragedy of enormous proportions.
Zaia went on to say, “Efforts are on to extract and identify the bodies”.
“The victims and the wounded include people of several nationalities, not just Italians”, Zaia continued.
The tragedy happened around 7:30 pm (1730 GMT) when the bus was returning from Venice’s historic centre to a camping spot.
According to firefighters, the bus caught fire after crashing off a bridge that spans a railway line and connects the Mestre and Marghera districts of the northern Italian city.
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, extended her heartfelt condolences.
In a statement, Giorgia Meloni stated, “I am in contact with Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and (Transport) Minister Matteo Salvini in order to follow the news of this tragedy”.
Salvini went on to say that the cause of the tragedy could be the driver suddenly falling ill.
According to the daily Il Corriere della Sera, the bus drove off the bridge after bursting through the barrier and crashed near railway tracks about 30 metres (100 feet) below. It caught fire after colliding with electricity lines.
“The aggravating factor was methane, and the fire spread rapidly”, stated Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
“I fear that the death toll will rise”, the minister continued.
In July 2018, a bus bringing 50 holidaymakers back to Naples collided with a viaduct near the city, killing 40 people.
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