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Italy bridge collapse: Genoa holds state funeral Italy bridge collapse: State funeral held in Genoa
(about 4 hours later)
Italian President Sergio Mattarella is presiding at a state funeral for 18 of the victims of Tuesday's bridge collapse in Genoa. Thousands of mourners attended a state funeral on Saturday for 18 victims of Tuesday's bridge collapse in Genoa.
Mr Mattarella and PM Giuseppe Conte are leading mourners at the ceremony. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and PM Giuseppe Conte led the ceremony.
Local media say just one person is now missing after the tragedy, as a family of three were found dead overnight bringing the death toll to 41. Local media reported a man and a family of three were found dead, bringing the tragedy's death toll to 42. No-one else is believed to be missing, though rescuers warned of finding more bodies.
Some families are reportedly staying away from Saturday's ceremony because of anger at the government. Some families reportedly stayed away from the service, opting for private ones out of anger at the government.
The collapse of a section of the Morandi motorway bridge and the deaths of those crossing in vehicles have led to a fierce debate in Italy about the nation's infrastructure.The collapse of a section of the Morandi motorway bridge and the deaths of those crossing in vehicles have led to a fierce debate in Italy about the nation's infrastructure.
The government has set up a commission to examine the causes of the disaster and one member speculated on Friday that a broken cable rod was "a serious work hypothesis".The government has set up a commission to examine the causes of the disaster and one member speculated on Friday that a broken cable rod was "a serious work hypothesis".
Antonio Brencich, a University of Genoa lecturer, said there were "eyewitness accounts and videos that go in this direction".Antonio Brencich, a University of Genoa lecturer, said there were "eyewitness accounts and videos that go in this direction".
The bridge, which was constructed in the 1960s, has cables running directly from the deck to the top of the towers.The bridge, which was constructed in the 1960s, has cables running directly from the deck to the top of the towers.
Families gather for funeralFamilies gather for funeral
On Friday, grieving relatives gathered at the hall in Genoa where rows of coffins were laid out for Saturday's state funeral.On Friday, grieving relatives gathered at the hall in Genoa where rows of coffins were laid out for Saturday's state funeral.
Family members embraced and prayed, and placed photographs and flowers on the coffins of their loved ones.Family members embraced and prayed, and placed photographs and flowers on the coffins of their loved ones.
Saturday's ceremony coincides with a national day of mourning and will be led by the city's archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco. Saturday's ceremony coincided with a national day of mourning and was led by the Archbishop of Genoa, Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco.
But a number of families chose not to take part and are holding private burials elsewhere in Italy.But a number of families chose not to take part and are holding private burials elsewhere in Italy.
"Many do not want to take part in a showcase and I understand them," Father Mauro Brezzo, chaplain of Genoa's San Martino hospital, told Italian media."Many do not want to take part in a showcase and I understand them," Father Mauro Brezzo, chaplain of Genoa's San Martino hospital, told Italian media.
One grieving mother quoted in Italian media said she held the Italian state responsible for the collapse, adding "the parade of politicians has been shameful".One grieving mother quoted in Italian media said she held the Italian state responsible for the collapse, adding "the parade of politicians has been shameful".
Nunzia, mother of 26-year-old Gerardo Esposito, said government officials should not be seen at the victims' funerals.Nunzia, mother of 26-year-old Gerardo Esposito, said government officials should not be seen at the victims' funerals.
Giovanni Battiloro was in the same vehicle as Mr Esposito. His father, Roberto, told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero: "We do not want farcical ceremonies.Giovanni Battiloro was in the same vehicle as Mr Esposito. His father, Roberto, told Italian newspaper Il Messaggero: "We do not want farcical ceremonies.
"Our children are not a tool for public parades... it is among those who loved them that they will receive a farewell.""Our children are not a tool for public parades... it is among those who loved them that they will receive a farewell."
Other families said they simply preferred to grieve in private.Other families said they simply preferred to grieve in private.
What is the government doing?What is the government doing?
The BBC's James Reynolds in Genoa says Italy's populist government is keen to show it is taking action.The BBC's James Reynolds in Genoa says Italy's populist government is keen to show it is taking action.
Mr Conte confirmed on Friday that legal proceedings were under way to strip the motorway operator Autostrade per l'Italia of its contracts.Mr Conte confirmed on Friday that legal proceedings were under way to strip the motorway operator Autostrade per l'Italia of its contracts.
"Today the government... has formally sent to Autostrade per l'Italia the letter of complaint which launches the process for revoking the concession," he said in a statement."Today the government... has formally sent to Autostrade per l'Italia the letter of complaint which launches the process for revoking the concession," he said in a statement.
The statement said the company "had the obligation to look after the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of the motorway" and had failed to do so.The statement said the company "had the obligation to look after the ordinary and extraordinary maintenance of the motorway" and had failed to do so.
It said Autostrade had 15 days to present counter-arguments.It said Autostrade had 15 days to present counter-arguments.
The company has insisted that it more than fulfilled its duties. It said the bridge was monitored on a quarterly basis, as required by law, and extra checks were carried out by external experts.The company has insisted that it more than fulfilled its duties. It said the bridge was monitored on a quarterly basis, as required by law, and extra checks were carried out by external experts.
Shares in its parent company Atlantia plummeted in the aftermath of the disaster.Shares in its parent company Atlantia plummeted in the aftermath of the disaster.
Mr Conte has said that in future the government would compel companies that were granted concessions for Italy's infrastructure to invest more profits in maintenance and safety.Mr Conte has said that in future the government would compel companies that were granted concessions for Italy's infrastructure to invest more profits in maintenance and safety.
What happened to the Morandi bridge?What happened to the Morandi bridge?
The bridge is a main road in and out of Genoa, linking it to the A10 motorway and the road to France.The bridge is a main road in and out of Genoa, linking it to the A10 motorway and the road to France.
Shortly before noon on Tuesday, a huge section about 200m (656ft) long suddenly collapsed, falling 45m along with dozens of vehicles.Shortly before noon on Tuesday, a huge section about 200m (656ft) long suddenly collapsed, falling 45m along with dozens of vehicles.
On Friday, the official count was 38 dead, but later that night a family of three were found in their crushed car. One person remains unaccounted for, after another, thought to be missing, was found alive elsewhere. On Friday, the official count was 38 dead.
Later that night, a couple and their nine-year-old daughter were found in their crushed car and another body was found on Saturday morning. A fifth person presumed missing after the bridge collapse was found alive elsewhere, and had not been in the city at the time of the disaster.
Rescuers hold little hope of finding anyone else alive at this stage.Rescuers hold little hope of finding anyone else alive at this stage.
The cause of the unexpected tragedy is not yet clear. The bridge was having work done to shore up its foundations at the time, and there was also extremely heavy rainfall.The cause of the unexpected tragedy is not yet clear. The bridge was having work done to shore up its foundations at the time, and there was also extremely heavy rainfall.