37 reportedly dead in Italy coach crash July 29, 2013 - 09:07 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A coach has plunged off a flyover in southern Italy leaving at least 37 people dead, rescue services say, according to BBC News. The coach hit several vehicles before smashing through a parapet and toppling down a steep slope near the town of Avellino, in the Campania region. At least 11 people have been injured, some of them seriously. The coach was reportedly taking about 50 people, including children, back to Naples following a pilgrimage. The cause of the accident is not clear. TV footage showed smashed vehicles on the flyover and shrouded bodies lined up by the side of a road. The driver of the coach is said to be among the dead. "The situation is critical," leading fireman Pellegrino Iandolo told Italian television. "Our men are working to save as many lives as possible." A police spokesman said that the number of victims could not yet be confirmed. "We are still pulling people from the vehicle," he said. He added that the Naples-Bari motorway had been closed to traffic because of the accident. Reports say the bus smashed through a guardrail on the flyover. It came to rest in heavy undergrowth, which has been hampering the rescue operation.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
