Tragedy in Venice: a bus fell from a 10-meter height, four children were among the 21 dead (video)

More than 20 people were killed and 18 injured in a terrible car accident in Venice: a bus fell off a bridge and caught fire.

In the Venice suburb of Mestre, connected to the historical center by road and railway bridges, a bus carrying people fell from an overpass. At least 21 people were killed and 12 injured, ANSA said. A passenger bus broke through a fence and fell from a 10-meter height onto the railway tracks. Rescuers are working at the scene of the accident. The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, said there was a “huge tragedy”, quoted by Reuters:

“Nineteen died immediately, two died in hospital, so there are now 21 victims in total. Some [из пострадавших] OK, but some in critical condition in Padua, some burned. A terrible tragedy, an apocalyptic scene, there are no words.”

According to the mayor, four children were among the dead. How writes The Air Force, citing Italian media, when the bus fell, it touched the overhead wires above the tracks and caught fire. It is reported that the bus could be running on methane, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Luca Zaia, governor of the Venice region, told reporters that, according to preliminary data, more than 20 people were taken to hospitals. Among the dead and wounded were Italian citizens and foreigners.

According to a BBC correspondent in Rome, the bus passengers included Germans and Ukrainians. The AFP agency writes, citing a representative of the city authorities, that among the victims are three Ukrainians, one Croatian, one German and one French. Italian edition of Corriere del Veneto Corriere writes:

“Among the already identified victims are five Ukrainian citizens, a German and an Italian driver.”

In total, 21 dead and 18 injured people are known. Five of them are in extremely serious condition. There are also children among the dead and injured. It took firefighters hours to remove the bodies from the vehicle. There were more than 40 ambulances at the scene of the tragedy. There are fears that the death toll could rise.

Due to the accident, train service between Mestre and Venice is suspended. Authorities have activated an emergency protocol, which involves opening all hospital emergency departments and calling in reinforcements.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims. The head of government said she is in constant contact with the mayor of Venice and the minister of transport.

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