At least 21 people died in a car accident in Mestre, northeastern Italy, after a burning car plunged off a highway exit ramp, local authorities said Tuesday.

The prefecture has provided a preliminary assessment of the tragedy while rescue teams work at the scene, where scores of ambulances and firefighters have gathered and train traffic is blocked between Mestre and Venice’s Santa Lucia train station.

The accident occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. local time when the bus plunged off a pedestrian bridge crossing the highway and flew ten meters before landing between a warehouse and the railroad tracks, according to early accounts of what happened.

Continue the police investigation into the terrible incident that occurred. #Marghera. #Policetradale This regulates the vitality and influences the traffic movement at the point where the bus moves along the road speeding along the lower road. #3ottobre pic.twitter.com/7c4cosHvWl

— State Police (@poliziadistato) October 3, 2023

Mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro– he told local television.

We are here in the middle of this great tragedy. We have already counted 20 dead, but I think this number will grow. We help people.

Previously in X in view of TwitterBrugnaro assured:

I ordered the city to mourn the memory of the many victims of the hit bus. Apocalyptic scene, no words.

Accident in Chiapas leaves 10 migrants dead and 15 injured.