A tourist bus carrying passengers veered off an overpass in the District of Mestre, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people. The accident, which occurred near Venice, Italy, has left the nation and the world in shock.
The bus was en route to a nearby campground when it suddenly fell off the road. It plummeted approximately 15 meters onto the electricity lines below and subsequently caught fire. The exact cause of the accident remains unclear and is currently under investigation.
Among the deceased are two children. In addition to the fatalities, 18 passengers sustained injuries, with several reported to be in critical condition. Emergency services were quick to respond, working tirelessly to rescue survivors and provide necessary medical attention.
Renato Boraso, a Venice city official, confirmed that some of the victims were Ukrainian.
The incident happened at about 7.45 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT) as the bus was reportedly taking tourists back to a campsite.
The mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, described the scene of the accident as “apocalyptic” on X, the former Twitter. He said he had already announced the “city’s mourning” for the “numerous victims” on the bus.
Luca Zaia, the regional governor, said that people of “various nationalities, not just Italians,” were among the dead and injured.
Local media in Italy reported that the bus fell a few meters before hitting the railway tracks near Mestre, where it burst into flames. Emergency workers rushed to the scene.
The reason for the crash is still unknown, and rescue operations are ongoing.
Italy has witnessed several fatal bus crashes in recent years.