Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has declared a 12-month state of emergency in response to the bridge collapse in Genoa that left 39 people dead. Officials said 15 people remain hospitalized, including nine in serious condition.
Conte said at a news conference that he would release an initial 5 million euros ($5.7 million) of relief funds to help the northwest Liguria region cope with the tragedy.
Situation on the Ground
More than 400 residents have been forced from their homes and about 600 more are being told to vacate the 11 apartment buildings that stand close to the bridge, amid warnings of further collapses.
“I managed to get some essentials,” said area resident Carlo Mei. “We don’t live immediately under the bridge, we are about six buildings away, but they evacuated us anyway. We have to get some things but we don’t know how long this will last. I hope I can return and get some other things.”
