Death toll from Genoa bridge collapse is 43 and all missing accounted for as clean-up begins

Authorities searching for bodies after the Genoa bridge collapse have called off the operation, saying all those missing have now been accounted for. 

The death toll from Tuesday’s disaster, when a 200-yard section of the Morandi bridge caved in, stands at 43.

Nine people remain in hospital, four of whom are in a critical condition.  

A clean-up operation is now underway in Genoa, whilst the collapse has prompted other European countries to consider the safety of their own infrastructure. 

A GPR (ground penetrating radar) installed by the firefighters checks the collapsed Morandi highway bridge

Firefighters and workers inspect the wreckage of the viaduct days after a section of it collapsed on August 14, 2018 in Genoa, Italy

Firefighters and workers inspect the wreckage of the viaduct days after a section of it collapsed on August 14, 2018 in Genoa, Italy

Thousands attended a state funeral for victims of the disaster yesterday, but some families boycotted the event, blaming the government for failing to ensure that the bridge was safe

Thousands attended a state funeral for victims of the disaster yesterday, but some families boycotted the event, blaming the government for failing to ensure that the bridge was safe

At the time of the collapse, there was heavy traffic on the bridge and about 30 cars plunged more than 165ft.

On Sunday, workers and firefighters were seen clearing the concrete and rubble in order to make the site secure.

The Morandi bridge was a section of the A10 motorway linking Genoa in Italy with the French border.

It was managed by Autostrade per l’Italia, part of the infrastructure group Atlantia.

On Saturday, Autostrade promised to allocate funds of €500m (£449m) to rebuild the bridge and immediately aide the victims, their families and those in the area who have had to leave their homes. 

The bridge was operated by Autostrade per l'Italia, which promised to allocate funds of €500m (£449m) to rebuild the bridge and immediately aide the victims

The bridge was operated by Autostrade per l’Italia, which promised to allocate funds of €500m (£449m) to rebuild the bridge and immediately aide the victims

On Sunday, workers were clearing the concrete and rubble in order to make the site secure and help establish the cause of the disaster

On Sunday, workers were clearing the concrete and rubble in order to make the site secure and help establish the cause of the disaster

Meanwhile, an independent audit commissioned by the French government found that 840 bridges in France have serious damages and at risk of collapse.    

The audit, published by the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, states that there are 12,000 government-maintained bridges in France, and of these about one third need repairs and 7%, or about 840 bridges, present a ‘risk of collapse’ in the future. 

It does not factor in thousands of French bridges under operation by private companies.

Saturday was declared a national day of mourning in Italy including a state funeral at the industrial port city's fair grounds for those who plunged to their deaths

Saturday was declared a national day of mourning in Italy including a state funeral at the industrial port city’s fair grounds for those who plunged to their deaths

Highways England, a government-owned company responsible for operating, maintaining, improving England’s motorways and major A roads, as well as of several bridges, also released a statement.  

Its chief highways engineer Mike Wilson said: ‘Our deepest sympathies are with everyone involved in the tragic bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy.

‘We can reassure drivers that safety is and always will be our top priority.

People light candles for the victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse among other tributes on a bridge opposite

People light candles for the victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse among other tributes on a bridge opposite

The cause of the disaster is not yet clear, but the bridge was having work done on its foundations, and there had been a period of bad weather in the run up to the collapse

The cause of the disaster is not yet clear, but the bridge was having work done on its foundations, and there had been a period of bad weather in the run up to the collapse

‘We have detailed design standards and quality control processes to ensure bridges are designed and constructed to provide safe and comfortable journeys for road users. 

This is supported by a thorough and regular regime for inspecting all structures, including bridges, on England’s motorways and major A roads and taking any necessary action to help ensure they stay safe.

‘A very small proportion of our structures are suspension or cable stayed bridges but none of them are of similar construction to the one in Genoa.

‘We’re committed to continually improving our network to make every journey the safest it can be. So when the causes of the Genoa bridge collapse have been investigated and reported, we will carefully assess any lessons to be learnt and will bring in any required changes to standards and processes.’ 

The collapse and the deaths of 43 people vehicles have many in Italy to question the safety of the nation's infrastructure - with some blaming the government

The collapse and the deaths of 43 people vehicles have many in Italy to question the safety of the nation’s infrastructure – with some blaming the government

Nuns look at the wreckage of the Morandi Bridge from a high vantage point opposite 

Nuns look at the wreckage of the Morandi Bridge from a high vantage point opposite 

People gather by a barrier in an Ikea car park in front of the Morandi Bridge after a section of it collapsed on Tuesday in Genoa, Italy

People gather by a barrier in an Ikea car park in front of the Morandi Bridge after a section of it collapsed on Tuesday in Genoa, Italy

The bridge was built in the 1960s and was a main route in and out of Genoa, linking it to the western Italian border with France

The bridge was built in the 1960s and was a main route in and out of Genoa, linking it to the western Italian border with France

There are also fears for the safety of a ‘twin’ structure in Venezuela which suffered a fire just days before the Genoa disaster.

The five-mile-long General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge links the country’s second city Maracaibo with the rest of Venezuela and was also designed by Riccardo Morandi. 

Venezuelans have long been concerned about the country’s crumbling infrastructure, and experts from the University of Zulia, as well as engineering and construction specialists, are preparing a report on the condition of the bridge.



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