Genoa bridge collapse: Rescue operations CONTINUE into the night in search for SURVIVORS

At least 26 people were killed in the incident according to Reuters news agency, and 15 have been admitted to hospital, with nine in a critical condition.

The ANSA news agency reported that the death toll could reach 35 citing fire brigade sources, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared that the number would likely rise.

Commenting on the ongoing operation, Genoa police spokeswoman Alessandra Bucci said: “We are continuing with the rescue operations because we think there are other people alive under the rubble.

“We hope to find more people alive.”

Marcello de Angelis, who is co-ordinating the Italian Red Cross in the region, stated that emergency services were treating the incident in a similar fashion to an earthquake.

He told the BBC: “There might be the possibility of some niches being created by the rubble itself, with people being protected by the rubble.

“The units that we have sent are the units that we use during earthquakes.

“So it is the same sort of situation, and also the risk of other collapses, obviously is the same.”

Up to 35 cars and between five to ten trucks plummeted 150 feet to the ground when the bridge collapsed.

Close to 300 firefighters and emergency services personnel were involved in the operation on Tuesday, and up to twelve people are reportedly still missing.

Fire service official Emanuele Giffi said: “We’re not giving up hope, we’ve already saved a dozen people from under the rubble.

“We’re going to work round the clock until the last victim is found.”

Another firefighter said: “We’re trying to get two people out of a car. They’re still alive.”

Over 400 people were also evacuated from nearby buildings, but there have been no reports of anyone killed in buildings beneath the bridge.

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, of the right-wing League, stated he wanted the “names and surnames of those who are to blame, because a tragedy like this in 2018 is not acceptable”.

He added: “They will have to pay, pay for everything, and pay a lot.”

Mr Salvini also called on the Italian government to increase infrastructure spending in order to repair dilapidated structures, ignoring EU budget constraints if necessary.

He said: “We should ask ourselves whether respecting these limits is more important than the safety of Italian citizens. Obviously for me, it is not.”