At least 21 dead after bus tumbles from overpass onto train tracks and erupts into flames

Emergency services have described the scene as “apocalyptic” and warned that the death toll could rise.

The bus was reportedly taking tourists between Venice and a campsite in the nearby Marghera district.

Venice City Councillor Renato Boraso said the bus had been carrying 40 passengers.

Luca Zaia, president of Italy’s Veneto region, called the bus crash “a tragedy of enormous proportions” and also confirmed that “the victims and injured are of various nationalities, not just Italians.”

Among the dead are five Ukrainians, one German and the Italian driver, city prefect Michele Di Bari said.

Mauro Luongo, commander of the Venice firefighters team said: “The people in the bus found themselves surrounded by flames.

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“The scene we found was terrible. It took about one hour to extract some of the bodies.”

According to local media, the bus fell a few metres before crashing close to Mestre’s railway tracks where it caught fire.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media: “I express my deepest condolences, my personal and that of the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends.

“I am in close contact with the Mayor Luigi Brugnaro and with the Minister (of the interior) Matteo Piantedosi to follow the news on this tragedy.”

“I heard heavy braking, I thought it was a train,” one witness, called Leonardo, told LaPresse news agency.“

“Then I heard a thud. I was alarmed and outside I saw smoke and heard people screaming for help.”