It is believed there were a number of cars on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
A section of a viaduct on a motorway bridge has collapsed in the port city of Genoa in northwest Italy.
The Morandi Bridge, located on the A10 motorway just outside the city, collapsed at around 10am GMT on Tuesday from a height of 200m (650ft) during a violent storm.
BREAKING: Italian news agency says rescue workers have identified about 10 vehicles involved in a bridge collapse near Genoa.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 14, 2018
At the time of writing, the Italian Ambulance Service has announced that “dozens” of people have died, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos.
As details emerged, the country’s transport minister has called the unfortunate incident “an immense tragedy”.
Sto seguendo con la massima apprensione ciò che è accaduto a #Genova e che si profila come immane tragedia. Siamo in stretto contatto con Autostrade e stiamo andando sul luogo con il viceministro Rixi. La mia totale vicinanza in queste ore alla città
— Danilo Toninelli (@DaniloToninelli) August 14, 2018
“I am following with great concern what happened to Genoa and is looming as a terrible tragedy,” his tweet read.
#14agosto il video del crollo di #PonteMorandi a #Genova Polcevera Morandi@VAIstradeanas @DPCgov @emergenzavvf @Viminale @ComunediGenova @StradeAnas pic.twitter.com/9viaWCfAcu
— Polizia di Stato (@poliziadistato) August 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/BattelliSergio/status/1029306695586066433
#14ago #Genova 12:00, crolla parte del ponte Morandi sulla #A10. Le squadre #vigilidelfuoco stanno operando in massa, attivatinteam usar e cinofili pic.twitter.com/gjSJLvjw1K
— Vigili del Fuoco (@vigilidelfuoco) August 14, 2018
As reported by The Associated Press, it’s understood that one person has been rescued alive from the rubble of the bridge’s collapse. They were then flown by helicopter to hospital.
BREAKING: Italian news agency ANSA says 1 person has been rescued alive from the rubble of Genoa bridge collapse, flown by helicopter to a hospital.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 14, 2018
The bridge is part of the A10 toll road which runs into Genoa, near the city’s airport.
Genoa is located between the sea and the mountains of north-west Italy. Known for its rugged terrain, a number of motorways run through the city and the surrounding area via long viaducts and tunnels.
Restructuring work on the bridge, which was constructed in the 1960s, was carried out in 2016.
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