Italy bridge collapse impossible to predict as death toll hits 35

ROME: The collapse of a motorway bridge in Genoa was impossible to predict and it is too soon to determine the cause, a director for motorway operator Autostrade (ASPI) said.  ASPI is a unit of infrastructure group Atlantia, which is controlled by the holding company of the Benetton family. ASPI manages the section of the toll highway that collapsed. “The collapse was unexpected and unpredictable. The bridge was constantly monitored, even more than was foreseen by the law,” Stefano Marigliani, ASPI Director for the Genoa area said.

“There was no reason to consider the bridge dangerous,” he added. Meanwhile, the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and the European Union offered their condolences to Italy on Tuesday after the collapse of a motorway bridge killed at least 35 people in the port city of Genoa. “Our thoughts go to the victims, their relatives and all the people of Italy. France is standing by Italy in this tragedy and is ready to offer all help,” French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted.