Genoa bridge collapse resorts in state of emergency - is Italy safe to travel to?
GENOA has issued a state of emergency for the next 12 months following the bridge collapse which killed 39 people. Infrastructure problems have prompted fears more bridges could collapse across the region, so is Italy safe?
Genoa bridge collapse: Resident warns of traffic chaos
The Genoa bridge collapse has claimed the lives of 39 people with authorities fearing the death toll could rise.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has declared a state of emergency in the region for the next 12 months in response.
The bridge collapse has prompted fears more roads could be damaged due to further infrastructure fears.
Is Italy safe for British tourists to travel on holiday and what is the latest travel advice from the Foreign Office and the British Embassy?
Our embassy are in contact with local authorities for updates and we are ready to offer assistance if needed
There is no current travel warning from the Foreign Office regarding infrastructure dangers on roads and bridges.
The British embassy in Italy tweeted: “We are saddened by the incident in #Genoa and our thoughts are with those injured or killed and their families.
“Our embassy are in contact with local authorities for updates and we are ready to offer assistance if needed.”
Flights to the region and cruise holidays which stop at Genoa are not currently affected.
However the bridge was a major road and connected the region to the south of France and across Europe, therefore other roads could experience a high volume of traffic as a result.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, it is the fifth bridge to collapse in Italy in five years, which has caused concern regarding further dangers.
Infrastructure across the country is now to be checked according to the Prime Minister to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
According to the Telegraph, approximately 10,000 of the 15,000 bridges in Italy were built in the 1980s and are not made to withstand the increase in traffic.
An anonymous structural engineer told La Repubblica newspaper the problems needed to be addressed otherwise it “could potentially lead to structural failures”.
He said the issue was “having the money to finance repairs and maintenance”.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini warned EU spending limits were to blame for constraints against spending. The EU refuted these claims.
Genoa: Moment motorway bridge COLLAPSES
An investigation has been launched to find out what the cause of the bridge collapse was.
While it has not yet been confirmed, maintenance work was being carried out at the time which may have had an effect.
One man spoke of his miraculous escape when his truck narrowly avoided being dragged down by the falling bridge.
The Italian resident told Italian TV: "I was in front of the truck, and flew away like everything else.
“Yes, I think it's a miracle. I don't know what to say. I'm out of words.”