Italy bus crash: At least 20 dead after vehicle plunges onto railway track in smash
At least 21 people have died after a bus veered off the road[1] and onto a railway track near Venice, in Italy[2], tonight.
The bus with numerous people onboard fell from an elevated section of a major link road in Mestre, part of Venice, ending up on the railway track near the road.
Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro has said "at least are 21 dead, a huge tragedy" as emergency services deal with the crash. Dozens more are believed to be seriously injured. The circumstances of the accident are not known at the moment, it has been confirmed a bus was involved. The firefighters, the police and many ambulances are on site.
Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, said: "I express my deepest condolences, my personal and that of the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre. My thoughts go to the victims and their families and friends. I am in close contact with the mayor Luigi Brugnaro and with the minister Matteo Piantedosi for follow the news on this tragedy".
Gran, 84, dies in crash on road she campaigned to make safer as friends pay tribute[3]
Emergency services deal with the carnage
The railway line between Mestre and central Venice has been suspended due to the accident. The Local Health Authority 3 of Venice has activated a "major emergencies" protocol to ensure resources are available at all hospitals in the area.
It is reported the bus ending up wedged between a warehouse and the tracks of the railway line. There are unconfirmed claims the vehicle then caught fire. No trains will run along the railway line for the foreseeable future.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Brugnaro added: "A huge tragedy struck our community this evening. I immediately declared the city to be in mourning, in memory of the numerous victims who were on the fallen bus. An apocalyptic scene, there are no words".
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story HERE[4] . Get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters[5] .
20:57Bradley JollyVideo from the scene shows the extent of the carnage
Panicked witnesses rush to try to help stricken victims in the aftermath in footage shared on social media.
People are heard screaming and yelling to help others in the footage. Sirens can be heard in the background too.
At least 20 deaths in a bus crash in #Mestre #Italy. The vehicle fell for 30m. Still no further information on the accident pic.twitter.com/Q7BKEKmgnL[6][7][8]
— Globe Clips (@globeclip) October 3, 2023[9] 20:50Bradley JollyLocal media reports children may have been on the bus
The bus was reportedly busy when it crashed at around 8pm, local time. Local media reports children were among those travelling.
La Repubblica, an Italian publication, says: "In the first downhill stretch the bus, for reasons to be ascertained, broke through the parapet and fell down, ending up between a warehouse and the tracks of the Mestre station, catching fire... Perhaps there would also be minors."
Emergency services deal with the carnage (
Andrea Buoso/ANSA via ZUMA Press/REX/Shutterstock)
20:45Bradley Jolly
Italy's Prime Minister reacts to the tragedy
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has expressed the government's condolences following the crash. She said: "I express my deepest condolences, my personal and that of the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre.
"My thoughts go to the victims and their families and friends. I am in close contact with the mayor Luigi Brugnaro and with the minister Matteo Piantedosi for follow the news on this tragedy."
References
- ^ bus veered off the road (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Italy (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Gran, 84, dies in crash on road she campaigned to make safer as friends pay tribute (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ HERE (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ signing up for our newsletters (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ #Mestre (twitter.com)
- ^ #Italy (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/Q7BKEKmgnL (t.co)
- ^ October 3, 2023 (twitter.com)