Summary of the day
21 people have died and 15 were injured after a tourist coach crashed off an overpass near Venice in northern Italy.
The victims include three minors.
Some of the injured remain hospitalised in intensive care. The people injured include citizens of Ukraine, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Germany and France.
An investigation is ongoing.
A discussion emerged over the state of the guard rails on the road where the accident took pace.
Condolences coming in from around the world
On behalf of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Italy I extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims of the tragic accident in Mestre. Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and the communities affected by this terrible tragedy.
— Ambassador Jack Markell (@USAmbItaly) October 4, 2023
Devastated by the terrible bus accident in #Mestre. On this day of grief, our deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish those injured a speedy and complete recovery.@ItalyMFA @Antonio_Tajani
— MFA Austria (@MFA_Austria) October 4, 2023
My deepest condolences to the 🇮🇹 President @Quirinale and Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni on the tragic bus accident near Venice.
— Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) October 3, 2023
Thoughts of all 🇱🇹 people go out to the victims and their families. We are with you in this difficult hour and we wish you all the strength possible.
I was deeply shocked by the tragic bus accident that happened last night near Venice. My deepest condolences to @GiorgiaMeloni and the people of #Italy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) October 4, 2023
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Mourning in Italy
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Venice pursues homicide investigation
The Venice prosecutor Bruno Cherchi said he was proceeding with a multiple road homicide investigation into the bus crash.
Speaking at a press conference, Cherchi said an autopsy on the driver’s body would be important for the case, Rai reported.
DNA tests would be carried out in circumstances when the identity of victims was unclear, he added.
Only three or four survivors were able to speak at the moment, according to the prosecutor.
This post was amended on Wednesday 4 October to clarify a translation of the prosecutor’s comments.
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Everything points to driver illness, senior official says
Luca Zaia, the president of the Veneto region, said everything pointed to a scenario where the driver became ill. However, Zaia said it was too early to reach conclusions, Rai reported.
An investigation is ongoing, with officials hoping that technical work, cameras and testimonies will help them understand what happened.
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Three days of formal mourning requested
The Venice prefect, Michele Di Bari, said today that the local council and the Veneto regional government had requested three days of mourning, Ansa reported.
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Salvini says no problem with guard rail
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and minister of infrastructure and transport, has weighed in on the tragedy.
The politician said it was not a guard rail problem, Rai reported. And while he noted that it was too early to comment, Salvini also said he heard electric batteries caught fire faster and there was a need to reflect on the issue.
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Watch: Video report on fatal crash near Venice
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Bus company puts focus on infrastructure
Massimo Fiorese, the chief executive of the transport company that owned the bus that crashed, said this morning the vehicle appeared to have been leaning on a railing, TGcom24 reported.
His comments add to speculation about the quality of infrastructure on the stretch of road where the accident took place.
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Eight people in intensive care, 2 in critical condition
Eight people are still in intensive care, with two in a critical condition, according to Italy’s emergency services, Rai news has reported.
These include a four-year-old girl, who is in a critical condition with severe burns.
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A municipal official weighed in this morning saying there had been plans to renovate the overpass and put in a new guardrail, TGcom24 reported.
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Flags at half mast in Venice today
Bandiere a mezz’asta nelle sedi del Comune di Venezia in segno di lutto cittadino per le vittime dell’incidente verificatosi ieri sera a Mestre. pic.twitter.com/Lt8BHb5ymY
— Comune di Venezia (@comunevenezia) October 4, 2023
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Citizens of six countries among injured
The Venice prefect, Michele Di Bari, said among the 15 injured people were four Ukrainian citizens, two Spanish citizens, two Austrians, one Croatian, one German and one French citizen, Rai reported.
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Four injured people in intensive care
Four people between the ages of 20 and 30 are in intensive care, TGcom24 reports.
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Prosector says review to be conducted today
Venice’s chief prosecutor, Bruno Cherchi, said a review of what happened to the bus will be done today, noting that at the moment it is not possible to precisely reconstruct what happened, Ansa reports.
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Twenty-one dead, 15 injured after coach veers off overpass near Venice
At least 21 people have died and 15 were injured after a tourist coach crashed off an overpass near Venice in northern Italy.
The coach was carrying a group of tourists who were returning to a campsite in Marghera after spending the day in Venice, according to reports in the Italian media.
Officials said the vehicle fell 30 metres (98ft) on to electricity lines and caught fire at about 7.45pm local time.
Those onboard included Ukrainian, German and French citizens, according to Venice prefect Michele Di Bari. Two of the dead were children. The Italian driver, aged 40, was also killed, Di Bari said.
Read the full story and stay tuned for updates.
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The wreckage of the bus that crashed off an overpass near Venice was removed overnight, Ansa reported.
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