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Extreme weather
April 2, 2026, 3:51 p.mApril 2, 2026, 3:51 p.m
After a precautionary closure due to days of heavy rain, part of a bridge collapsed in Italy. As the Italian fire department announced, the partial collapse occurred in the morning between the regions of Abruzzo and Molise.
The bridge is part of one of the most important and longest state roads in Italy, the Strada Statale 16 Adriatica. The state road runs from Padua in Veneto in the north of the country to Otranto in Apulia in southern Italy. The partial collapse of the bridge near the municipality of Montenero di Bisaccia in Molise is therefore likely to have serious consequences for traffic, at least on the southern part of the route.
Mayor: “The situation remains serious”
The situation at the bridge had been monitored by the authorities since Wednesday due to the heavy rain. The partial collapse of the bridge over the Trigno River occurred during checks for reopening.
“Fortunately the road was closed and there were no vehicles on the way, otherwise it would have been a tragedy,” said the mayor of Montenero di Bisaccia, Simona Contucci, to the Rai television station at the scene of the accident. The situation remains extremely serious given the severe storm situation, she said. Firefighters are on site to secure the area. (sda/dpa)