![[BREAKING] Italy: Bus Falls Off Overpass Near Venice; At Least 20 Dead](https://d.hngn.com/en/full/281908/breaking-italy-bus-falls-off-overpass-near-venice-least-20-dead.jpg?w=830&f=f1b80ff760f31b929dbcf6c6ef1562e2)
At least 20 people were killed in a bus crash near Venice in northern Italy Tuesday evening, local time (October 3).
According to Sky News's Italian bureau, 18 bodies were recovered so far from the wreckage after the coach caught fire.
Local media reported that the bus fell close to railway lines after veering off a road in the district of Mestre, which is connected to Venice by a bridge.
The cause of the accident was still unclear.
Venice Mayor Calls Accident 'Terrible,' 'Apocalyptic'
Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told Italian newspaper La Repubblica confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as a "terrible tragedy." He also said an estimated 40 other people were believed to be injured in the crash.
"I immediately ordered the city to go into mourning, in memory of the many victims who were in the crashed bus," he said on social media. "[It is an] apocalyptic scene, there are no words."
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has since expressed her condolences to the victims of the crash and their families and friends.
"I am in close contact with the Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and with the [Italian Interior] Minister Matteo Piantedosi to follow the news on this tragedy," she added.
This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
