At least 20 people have died in a coach crash near Venice in northern Italy, according to the city’s mayor.

Another 40 people are believed to be injured in the crash on Tuesday evening.

Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told newspaper La Repubblica at least 20 people have died.

He described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.

“I immediately ordered the city to go into mourning, in memory of the many victims who were in the crashed bus,” he posted on social media.

“An apocalyptic scene, there are no words.”

The coach fell close to railway lines after veering off a road in the district of Mestre, which is connected to Venice by a bridge, Italian television and news agencies reported.

According to Sky Italia, 18 bodies have so far been dragged from the wreckage after the coach caught fire.

The cause of the accident was still unclear, but one of Italy’s national police forces said officers are on the scene to investigate and to “give aid” to those hurt.

The railway is also “currently interrupted”.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, said her thoughts are with the victims.

“I express my deepest condolences, my personal and that of the entire government, for the serious accident that occurred in Mestre,” she posted on social media.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends. I am in close contact with the Mayor Luigi Brugnaro
and with the Minister (of the interior) Matteo Piantedosi to follow the news on this tragedy.”

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