Tragedy struck as an electric bus crashed off a flyover near Venice, claiming the lives of at least 21 individuals, including several children, according to officials.
The bus, which broke through a barrier, plummeted nearly 15 meters (50 feet) close to railway tracks in Mestre, a district linked to Venice by a bridge.
Among the deceased were five Ukrainians, one German, and the Italian bus driver, as confirmed by city prefect Michele Di Bari.
Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said a “huge tragedy” had taken place.
“An apocalyptic scene, there are no words,” he said on social media.
On Tuesday night, CCTV footage from the flyover showed the vehicle travelling past another bus before collapsing off the carriageway.
One rescuer spoke of a “tragedy of young people, if not very young people, except for a few adults”.
Three children, including an infant, were among the casualties, according to reports from emergency services and the interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi expressed concern that the death toll could potentially increase.
Fifteen individuals have suffered injuries, with five of them in critical condition, according to reports.
Authorities in Venice indicated that the injured parties included tourists from various countries, including Ukrainians, Austrians, Spaniards, and others.
Among the wounded, there were two 16-year-olds and two younger children, as stated by the local governor. In addition, two German siblings, aged seven and 13, were undergoing treatment for broken bones at a hospital in nearby Treviso.
Tragically, their parents lost their lives in the accident, and the boys were receiving counseling.
The ill-fated bus, carrying a total of 39 passengers, was involved in the crash at approximately 19:45 (17:45 GMT) on Tuesday.
It had been rented by a local company, seemingly to transport tourists from Venice’s historic center to a campsite located in the nearby Marghera district.
The bus company underscored that the 13-ton vehicle operated solely on electricity, refuting prior claims that it was powered by methane gas as well.
Mauro Longo, the fire brigade commander, informed Il Gazzettino’s website that the bus’s batteries ignited, complicating the process of clearing the bus.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing people’s screams, but the flames were too intense for them to offer assistance.