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UPDATE: Genoa Morandi Bridge Collapses in Italy, Dozens of Victims

As a severe storm was unfolding in the Italian city of Genoa, a bridge that was part of the A10 motorway collapsed, taking with it at least ten cars and the people in them, local first responders say.
Bridge collapses in Genoa 1 photo
Photo: Polizia di Stato via Twitter
According to Italian publication Corriere della Serra, the bridge that collapsed is known as the Morandi bridge.

A yet undetermined number of victims have been reported, with emergency workers rushing to the scene saying they are “numerous.”

Other Italian sources say there are “dozens of dead,” while Danilo Toninelli, Italy’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, called the incident in a tweet “a terrible tragedy.” At the time we are writing this, Rai24 News reports at least seven victims.

“I'm following with utmost apprehension what happened in #Genova, and that is looming like a terrible tragedy. We are in close contact with Autostrade and we are going to the site with the Deputy Minister Rixi.”

The part of the motorway that fell stretched 200 meters (656 feet) and was suspended at an estimated 100 meters (328 feet) above the buildings and road intersecting it below. It's not clear how many of the victims have fallen with the bridge or have been caught below.

Rescue operations are underway, but the efforts made by ambulances and firefighters are being slowed by the heavy rain now falling in the are.

The initial hypothesis, as report Italian media, is that the bridge suffered a structural failure partially because of the storm in the area.

The bridge was built back in the 1960s and had been enforced in 2016.

We will update this story as more information becomes available.

UPDATE 1: 11 people have been confirmed dead so far by Italian police.
UPDATE 2: Death toll from the collapse rises to 22.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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