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.
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) 14 august 2018
Moment in which a hundred of metres of motorway bridge at the gates of Genoa has collapsed, bringing down dozens of car and hitting houses under it pic.twitter.com/fs6DP6rGi4
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) 14 august 2018