A bridge over an industrial area in the Italian city of Genova has partially collapsed during a storm, leaving vehicles crushed in the rubble below.
There have been reports of fatalities after a 650ft section of the Morandi Bridge fell in the north-western city, as well as claims that one person had been pulled alive from the rubble.
Maria Luisa Catalano, a police official in Genoa, said authorities are still involved in rescue efforts and do not yet know the number of victims.
Transport minister, Danilo Toninelli, called the collapse “an enormous tragedy”.
Broadcaster Sky TG24 said the section of the bridge collapsed over an industrial zone. Firefighters have raised concerns about gas lines.
Video captured the sound of a man screaming: “Oh god, oh, god.” Other images showed a green truck that had stopped just yards short of the gaping hole in the bridge.
Interior minister Matteo Salvini said some 200 firefighters were responding to the accident.
He said on Twitter: “We are following minute by minute the situation for the bridge collapse in Genoa.”
The bridge is a main thoroughfare connecting the A10 highway heading towards France and the A7 highway that continues north towards Milan.
ANSA said authorities believe a structural weakness caused the collapse.
