Heavy machines work at the site of the collapsed bridge in Genoa, Italy, Aug. 15, 2018. The region of Liguria surrounding the Italian northwest city of Genoa has officially filed a state of emergency request, after the dramatic collapse of a major bridge on Tuesday that caused so far 39 victims, the regional governor said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
GENOA, Italy, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- The region of Liguria surrounding the Italian northwest city of Genoa has officially filed a state of emergency request, after the dramatic collapse of a major bridge on Tuesday that caused so far 39 victims, the regional governor said on Wednesday.
"We expect a quick positive response from the Presidency of the Council (central government)," Giovanni Toti told reporters in a joint press conference, along with the head of the civil protection agency.
"The state of emergency will allow us to cover the costs of the most urgent activities," the governor added.
According to regional infrastructures councillor Giacomo Gianpedrone, the official request comprised a call for 5 million euros (5.66 million U.S. dollars) in funds from the central government.
Once the state of emergency was confirmed by national authorities, the Liguria Region would be able to speed up bureaucratic procedures in several sectors of activity needed in this first phase of emergency and in the next ones, the governor further explained.
Meanwhile, the provisional toll was 39 victims, according to the prefecture of Genoa. At least three minors aged 8, 12, and 13 were registered so far among them.
The chief of the national civil protection, Angelo Borrelli, said 15 wounded people were in hospital, and nine of them were in "red code", meaning they were still in serious health conditions.
The Morandi Bridge involved in the collapse -- measuring 1,182 meters in length -- was a major viaduct between the western and the eastern part of Genoa, and a key driveway connecting to the highway A 10.
A central portion of about 100 meters caved in shortly before noon on Tuesday, sending 30 to 35 cars and three heavy trucks crashing from about 50 meters to the ground.
A huge rescue operation was still underway at the site of the incident, involving 300 firefighters and at least 400 more staff from civil protection and police forces.
Up to ten people would still be missing, and the civil protection coordinating all emergency efforts stressed on Wednesday morning the toll would remain "still provisional and in constant update."
