Mayor Luigi Brugnaro conveyed the heart-wrenching scene on Facebook, describing it as "an apocalyptic scene." Luca Zaia, the governor of the Venice region, lamented a "tragedy of enormous proportions," with a provisional count of 21 fatalities and more than 20 individuals hospitalized.
Efforts were underway to extract and identify the victims, who hailed from various nations, not just Italy. Ukrainian tourists were among the casualties, and reports indicated that German and French citizens also lost their lives. Additionally, three Ukrainians, a Croatian, a German, and a French national were injured in the incident.
The bus had been returning from Venice's historic center to a camping site when disaster struck at around 7:30 pm (1730 GMT). Firefighters reported that the bus caught fire after careening off a bridge spanning a railway line, connecting the Mestre and Marghera districts of Venice. An AFP photographer witnessed the aftermath, where fire crews were laboring on the charred remnants of the overturned vehicle, waiting for the battery to cool before searching for any additional victims.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her "profound condolences" and remained in contact with Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini for updates. Salvini speculated that the cause of the accident might have been the driver suddenly falling ill or becoming unwell.
According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, the bus swerved off the bridge, broke through the barrier, and plunged approximately 30 meters (100 feet) below near railway tracks before catching fire after coming into contact with power lines.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi pointed out the "aggravating factor" of methane, noting that the fire spread rapidly. Concerns were raised that the death toll could increase.
At the scene, Francesco Moraglia, the Patriarch of Venice, offered blessings to the deceased, who were covered with white shrouds adorned with bouquets of red flowers.
Condolences poured in from world leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed their sympathies. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock conveyed her deep sorrow and stated, "In this night of grief, my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and friends." German authorities were working with their Italian counterparts to confirm whether German nationals were among the victims.
This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of safety in all forms of travel.
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