Watch: Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment of the Genoa bridge collapse
This is the shocking moment the Genoa bridge collapsed in on itself, killing 43 people and sending tonnes of concrete hurtling to the ground.
The newly-released clip shows the exact moment that the Morandi bridge dramatically gave way during a heavy thunderstorm in the Italian port town.
Without warning, the structure can be seen collapsing as cars speed along the road, sending clouds of dust into the air.
Another view appears to show a man running from the storm shortly before slabs of concrete fell to the ground above him.
A large section of the Morandi Bridge collapsed on August 14 during the heavy downpour, killing 43 people and forcing the evacuation of more than 600 others living in apartment buildings beneath another section of the bridge.
While an investigation into the cause of the collapse is taking place, it has now emerged the engineers said in February that corrosion of the metal cables supporting the bridge had reduced the its strength by 20%.
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Despite the findings, the Italian magazine Espresso wrote that ‘neither the ministry, nor the highway company, ever considered it necessary to limit traffic, divert heavy trucks, reduce the roadway from two to one lanes or reduce the speed’ of vehicles.
Former transport minister Graziano Delrio told a news conference that ‘no-one ever signalled the necessity of limiting traffic’ on the bridge.
Prosecutors are focusing their investigation into the cause of the bridge’s collapse on possible faulty maintenance or design flaws.
After workers heard creaking noises coming from the part of the bridge that was still standing, firefighters suspended an operation to allow evacuated residents to retrieve their belongings from apartments under the bridge.
Officials have ruled out that the sound could be caused by wind, and more checks are now under way.
Work is continuing to clear tonnes of bridge debris that cascaded onto a dry riverbed below.
