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Horrifying moment Genoa motorway bridge collapses in cloud of dust sending rubble crashing down onto streets below

This is the horrifying moment the Genoa bridge collapsed in a cloud of dust, sending rubble crashing down onto the streets below.

New CCTV footage shows concrete blocks and debris from the Morandi bridge falling onto the street just seconds after a man is seen walking in the same spot.

It has been released as it is revealed engineers said in February that the corrosion of the metal cables supporting the highway bridge had reduced the its strength by 20 per cent, according to reports.

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 on the key artery for the northern port city.

The bridge collapsed on August 14 during a heavy downpour, killing 43 and forcing the evacuation of more than 600 others living in apartment buildings beneath another section of the bridge.

A municipal worker was seen on the street just seconds before rubble from the Morani bridge fell onto the road (AFP/Getty Images)
A municipal worker was seen on the street just seconds before rubble from the Morani bridge fell onto the road (AFP/Getty Images)

The new footage, released by the Italian Guardia di Finanza, showed the moment rubble came crashing down to the ground below.

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.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that officials have ruled out that the sound could be caused by wind, and that more checks are under way.

The Italian Guardia di Finanza released new footage on Monday (AFP/Getty Images)
The Italian Guardia di Finanza released new footage on Monday (AFP/Getty Images)

Work is continuing to clear tonnes of bridge debris that cascaded onto a dry riverbed below.

Espresso cited the minutes of a meeting of the Genoa public works superintendent, which included Roberto Ferrazza, an architect named to head a government commission looking into the disaster, and Antonio Brencich, an engineer who has been outspoken about the bridge's flaws.

Former transport minister Graziano Delrio told a news conference that "no-one ever signalled the necessity of limiting traffic" on the bridge.

People gather outside the Fair of Genoa to attend State funerals of the victims of the collapse (EPA)
People gather outside the Fair of Genoa to attend State funerals of the victims of the collapse (EPA)

Espresso reporter Fabrizio Gatti said a reduction of 20 per cent strength would not be significant in a modern bridge, but on a structure with the known defects of the Morandi Bridge it should have merited swifter, more decisive action.

Mr Gatti said: "Everyone was well aware of the situation on that bridge."

Bidding on a 20 million euro (£17.9 million) contract to reinforce two of the major supports for the bridge, including one that collapsed, was scheduled to close next month.

Satellite image of the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa (EPA)
Satellite image of the collapsed section of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa (EPA)

The Italian government, meanwhile, appeared divided on how to proceed in relation to Autostrade per l'Italia, the company that operated the section of highway that collapsed.

Transport and infrastructure minister Danilo Toninelli was quoted by the Milan daily Corriere della Sera as saying that he supported the nationalisation of Italy's toll highways.

"Think of all the revenues that would return to the government through tolls, to use not to donate to shareholders' dividends but to reinforce the quality of service and security on our roadways," Mr Toninelli was quoted as saying.

Deputy premier Matteo Salvini told reporters he remains in favour of public-private cooperation in infrastructure.

Premier Giuseppe Conte said procedures have begun to revoke Autostrade per l'Italia's concession to operate some 1,900 miles of Italian highways, about half of the total major routes operated by private companies.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.