The Government is considering a million dollar fine and the withdrawal of the concession to Autostrade

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In addition, the Minister of Transport has requested the resignation of the executives of the highway concessionaire. There are already 39 people killed by the collapse.

 

The Italian Transport Minister, Danilo Toninelli, has demanded on Wednesday the resignation of the top management of Autostrade per l'Italia, the concessionaire of the A10 motorway and the Morandi bridge that collapsed in Genoa, has raised the possibility of withdrawing the grant and study the possibility of a fine of up to 150 million euros.

Meanwhile, according to the latest balance sheet offered by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, there are already 39 deaths due to the bridge collapsing, including three children aged 8, 12 and 13 years. In addition, there are 16 injured, twelve of whom are in critical condition. The rescue efforts, in which a thousand troops participate, still continue.

"First of all the managers of Autostrade per l'Italia must resign," Toninelli said in a message posted on his Facebook profile, after expressing his "anger because in a civilized country you can not die because of a collapsing bridge "

The minister, member of the 5 Star Movement, has stressed that those responsible for "this unjustifiable tragedy must be punished" and has lashed out against the companies that manage the Italian motorways, "to which we disbursed the most expensive tolls in Europe while they pay concessions at shameful prices. "

"They collect billions, pay in taxes a few million and do not even perform the maintenance that would be necessary in bridges and roads," lamented the Minister of Transport, announcing that he has activated "all procedures for the eventual revocation of the concessions, and to start fines of up to 150 million euros ".

ITALY

 

"If they are not able to manage our highways, the State will," said Toninelli. The transport minister has also promised that the coalition government will set in motion "a true 'Marshall Plan' to secure infrastructures, many of which were built in the 60s and 70s."

The deputy prime minister and leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, has defended on his part that "the revocation of concessions is the minimum that can be expected" after what happened and that those responsible are identified. "Someone did not do what he had to do," he stressed, denouncing that it is one of the most expensive motorways in Italy and questioning that there were no signs that something like this could happen.

Also, in statements to the Sky network, he has maintained that the "Government has the obligation to radiograph and control all public works in the country," including those of private management, and invest in making them safe.

Concern about infrastructure

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Edoardo Rixi, has announced that "the entire Morandi bridge will be demolished with serious repercussions for traffic and problems for citizens". However, he pointed out that another alternative is already being worked on.

The infrastructure, one kilometer long and 45 meters high (90 meters pillars) was built in the decade of the 60s and had been reformed in recent years. Currently, Autostrade Italia carried out maintenance works on the viaduct.