ITV News' Italian bridge collapse coverage criticised
ITV's News at Ten anchor Tom Bradby has been hit with criticism over his coverage of yesterday's bridge collapse in the Italian city of Genoa.
Bradby opened last night's (August 14) bulletin with news of the tragic collapse of the Morandi bridge, which has so far claimed the lives of 39 people and injured 16.
In case you missed it, here’s how @tombradby introduced the Italian bridge disaster in which dozens were killed. Dumbfounded. pic.twitter.com/TW8WWO1hEf
- Kelvin (@KelvinD) August 14, 2018
"How often have all of us driven over a motorway bridge?" Bradby said. "Has it ever crossed your mind that it might actually fall down beneath you? Well, today in Genoa, one did – with devastating consequences."
Some viewers said they were "dumbfounded" by Bradby's opening comments, while another Twitter user criticised the journalist's "out of sync" and "ridiculous tone".
One Twitter user sarcastically complimented Bradby on his "lighthearted and quippy intro".
Is it me or is Tom Bradby’s delivery on @itvnews totally out of sync with the headlines he’s reading out! Absolutely ridiculous tone for the Genoa tragedy.
- Mark Richards (@Markysix) August 14, 2018
Is that any way to begin reporting on such a tragedy? #tombradby tactless.... #itvnews
- Calvin (@Ninebelowzer0) August 14, 2018
He may not have written the script, but dreadful reporting of bridge tragedy #TomBradby
- 𝕵𝖎𝖑𝖑 🏴 (@ScottishJill) August 15, 2018
#newsatten what the hell is wrong with the newscaster Tom Bradby tonight reporting the Genoa bridge catastrophe?!! His delivery was so ridiculously casual and non caring you'd never have guessed he was reporting a disaster where people lost their lives!! Is he for real?!! Shame!
- Geraldine Dunne (@retrogezza) August 14, 2018
Absolutely loving @tombradby’s lighthearted and quippy @itvnews intro to the story of the #Genoa bridge collapse...
Not.- Richard Miltiadis (@richmiltiadis) August 14, 2018
When approached by Digital Spy, an ITV News spokesperson said: "We always listen to feedback from our viewers and will continue to do so across all our programmes."
Bradby recently returned to ITV News following a short break due to illness. The journalist told fans "it was good to be back" when he went back to work earlier this month.
The tragic events in the northern Italian city of Genoa happened yesterday morning when a bridge collapsed during rush hour.
The bridge, which carries a major motorway serving the Italian Riviera and links to France, buckled and fell during torrential rain, plunging vehicles into the river and railway below.
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