2023-10-04 03:53:49
The fall of a bus from a bridge that occurred this Tuesday (03.10.2023) in Mestre, near Venice (northeast Italy) has left 21 people dead, including two children, and another 18 have been injured to varying degrees.
The victims “are mainly tourists and Ukrainian citizens,” Transport Minister Matteo Salvini told RAI public television, while other media outlets claim that there may also be German and Bulgarian victims who were staying in a campsite near the accident site. .
“One of the hypotheses is that the driver – who died in the accident – felt bad,” added Salvini, revealing that “the road was a straight road without works, without interruptions, the bus was new, electric.”
The accident occurred shortly following 7:30 p.m. local time (17:30 GMT), when the bus plunged down the footbridge, which crossed the highway, and fell between a warehouse and the train tracks. According to Venice firefighters, the bus “came on fire” following falling regarding ten meters.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “deepest condolences, personally and from the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre.” And she added: “I think of the victims and their families and friends. I am in close contact with the mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro and with the minister (of the Interior) Matteo Piantedosi to follow the news regarding this tragedy.”
“The bus flew 30 meters” and it seems that “the aggravating factor of the situation was determined by the fact that there was a supply of methane, and therefore the fire developed quickly, Piantedosi told RAI public television, before adding on the victims: “It is a very tragic and dramatic balance, but I fear that it may be destined to grow.”
JU (afp, efe, rtre, loop)
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