Report: At Least Seven Dead After Bus Plunges Down 100 Foot Slope In Italy

Rai News 24At least seven people have been killed in southern Italy after a bus carrying pilgrims slammed into cars and then plunged nearly 100 feet down into a ravine, AP is reporting.

A photographer with the Italian news agency ANSA at the scene said he saw about 30 bodies covered with sheets close to the crash, which occurred near the town of Avellino.

"I cannot yet confirm the number of victims - we are still pulling people from the vehicle," a police spokesman told AFP.

BBC reports the Naples-Bari highway had been closed to traffic due to the accident.

Eleven people were rescued from the crashed bus and taken to hospital. All of them are in serious condition, the agency reported.

First responders had difficulties pulling victims from the wrecked bus. The viaduct was damaged by the vehicle, thereby loosening pieces of concrete which threatened to fall on emergency teams.

The site of the crash near the town of Avellino is difficult to reach, making the rescue operation even more challenging.

This story is developing, and this post will be updated as we learn more.