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Italy bus crash: Mass funeral held near Pozzuoli Italy bus crash: Mass funeral held near Pozzuoli
(about 1 hour later)
A mass funeral is being held near the southern Italian town of Pozzuoli for the 38 victims of Sunday's bus crash. Prime Minister Enrico Letta is among the dignitaries assembled for the event, taking place in a sports hall. A funeral has been held near the southern Italian town of Pozzuoli for the 38 victims of Sunday's bus crash.
A choir sang solemnly as the bishop of Pozzuoli walked towards the altar at the start of the service. Prime Minister Enrico Letta was among about 4,000 people at the service, which was held in a sports hall.
The coach drove off a viaduct and into a ravine near Monteforte Irpino in the worst accident of its kind in Western Europe for a decade. Bishop of Pozzuoli, Gennaro Pascarella, urged the authorities to clarify the causes of the accident, saying: "We must ensure this never happens again."
The congregation recited prayers led by the bishop, Monsignor Gennaro Pascarella. The coach lost control on a viaduct near Monteforte Irpino, hitting several other cars and plunging into a ravine.
Before the ceremony, members of bereaved families wept and clutched the coffins, placing flowers, photographs and other memorabilia for their loved ones. In his homily, Bishop Pascarella appealed for support for the bereaved families.
"Political and religious institutions should not leave our brothers alone, especially those who have found themselves without any economic support," he said.
Families and friends of those killed in the accident crowded around the flower-draped coffins, lined up in front of the altar.
"We feel terrible. We all know each other here. We are all a bit like brothers and sisters," said one man, Franco, who said he had lost a friend in the accident.
Before the ceremony, relatives of the dead wept and clutched the coffins, placing flowers, photographs and other memorabilia for their loved ones.
One coffin was adorned with a photo of the deceased's wedding day, and a scarf in the colours of the football team, Napoli.One coffin was adorned with a photo of the deceased's wedding day, and a scarf in the colours of the football team, Napoli.
Bodies identifiedBodies identified
On Monday, hundreds of relatives had to identify the bodies of their loved ones at a school near the crash site which had been turned into a temporary morgue.On Monday, hundreds of relatives had to identify the bodies of their loved ones at a school near the crash site which had been turned into a temporary morgue.
"They told me to look at all the bodies until I found my brother," said one man who gave his name as Ciro told the AFP news agency. "It was like a mountain had fallen on my head," he said. "They told me to look at all the bodies until I found my brother," said one man who gave his name as Ciro.
"It was like a mountain had fallen on my head."
Ten of the coach's passengers were hurt in the accident on Sunday. Nine people were also injured in cars hit by the bus before it careered off the road.Ten of the coach's passengers were hurt in the accident on Sunday. Nine people were also injured in cars hit by the bus before it careered off the road.
Prosecutors have launched an investigation into possible manslaughter. Investigators will examine the role of the driver as well as the condition of the coach and the crash barriers on the road. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into possible manslaughter.
The vehicle was carrying a local tour group back from the birthplace of Padre Pio, an Italian priest canonised in 2002. One survivor said from her hospital bed that she believed a tyre had burst. Police have ordered a post-mortem examination on the body of the driver, who is among the dead.
The accident was the worst of its kind in Western Europe for ten years. In October 2010, 45 people died in a road accident in Ukraine. Investigators will examine the driver's role as well as the condition of the coach and the crash barriers on the road.
The vehicle was carrying a local tour group from the birthplace of Padre Pio, an Italian priest canonised in 2002.