at least 21 dead including two children after a bus fell from a bridge in Venice, according to local authorities

“An apocalyptic scene”, “a huge tragedy”. The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, posted these few words on the social network At least 20 people died, including two children, the town hall told AFP. The updated assessment almost five hours after the tragedy remains provisional.

“PMore than 20 people hospitalized, many of whom are in very serious condition.”, announced Tuesday evening, the governor of the Veneto region, of which Venice is the capital. Governor Luca Zaia deplored “a tragedy of enormous proportions”. French, Ukrainian and German tourists were present on board the bus, local authorities said. The identification of the bodies was not completed Tuesday evening.

According to the Venice firefighters, the operating bus caught fire, after falling from a bridge from the railway line, located between Mestre and Marghera, two localities belonging to the municipality of Venice. According to the Italian Interior Minister, “the aggravating factor was the methane supply [du bus]so the fire spread quickly” said Matteo Piantedosi.

This bus, responsible for shuttling between the historic center of Venice and a campsite, fell onto the railway tracks below. Traffic was blocked in the area near Santa Lucia station in Venice after the tragedy.

The Italian government sends its condolences to the relatives of the victims

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni expressed her “deepest condolences” and assured to follow the evolution of the situation. His Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, shared an image of the accident, under the Rizzardi viaduct.

“A prayer for the victims and for those fighting for their lives” wrote Matteo Salvini, in a message posted Wednesday on the social network

“Our thoughts this evening are with the Italian people, the families and loved ones of the victims of the terrible tragedy in Venice”assured Emmanuel Macron in a short text published on the same platform.