Bus in Venice falls from a bridge, leaving at least 20 dead

A bus carrying more than 50 people fell from a bridge in Venice, Italy, leaving more than 20 dead and about 40 injured. The tragic accident occurred in the Mestre borough. The city declared a state of mourning.

The accident occurred Tuesday at approximately 7:30 p.m., when the bus fell off a bridge, causing a large fire upon impact. According to the AFP news agency, among the victims were two children and Ukrainian, German and French tourists.

The vehicle fell from an overpass near the railway station that connects to the center of Venice.

“This afternoon a great tragedy affected our community,” said Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro . “I immediately declared a state of mourning in the city in memory of the numerous victims who were on the bus. It is an apocalyptic scene, there are no words,” he added.

Likewise, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared: “I express my deepest condolences, and that of the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends. I am in close contact with Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Minister Matteo Piantedosi to follow the news of this tragedy.”

After the accident, trains traveling between Mestre and the Santa Lucia station in Venice were blocked, and firefighters and police rushed to the scene.

The accident occurs 10 years after the most serious event of this type occurred when on July 28, 2013, a bus carrying about 50 people from the province of Naples fell 30 meters from a viaduct near Avellino. On that occasion, 38 people died.