A bus with around fifty people on board caught fire inside the Monte Giugo tunnel on the A12, in the section between Recco and Nervi towards Genoa.
Firefighters intervened at the scene and put out the flames, as well as the traffic police and Aspi technicians. Due to the fire inside the tunnel, dense smoke was created: 25 people asphyxiated.
A total of 37 people were transported to the hospital under code yellow, among them a 9-year-old boy, a pregnant woman and a lady who broke her leg during the escape. More serious is the driver.
According to the Italian media, the fire engulfed a bus full of tourists (at least fifty) and was caused by overheating of the vehicle. The passengers have all managed to get out of the tunnel and the injured were initially treated in the S. Ilario service area for asphyxiation. According to the online version of "Secolo XIX" the passengers must be Lombards returning from a trip to the Cinque Terre.
The incident caused a traffic collapse for hours in both directions. Later in the evening, the highway was reopened and traffic towards Genoa was diverted to the opposite lane to allow checks inside the tunnel.