Genoa Cargo Ship Jolly Nero Crashes Into Control Tower Killing Three

Cargo Ship Crashes Into Genoa Port Killing Three

Three people have died and six people are missing after a cargo ship crashed into the port in Genoa, Italy, toppling part of the control tower into the water.

One of the victims was thought to be a woman in her 30s, while the other two are reported to be men. Some of those missing are believed to be trapped in the control tower lift. Four people have been taken to hospital.

The collision toppled the control tower

LaPresse said the ship was the Jolly Nero and was almost 240 metres (787 ft) long and weighted 40,500 tonnes. It is owned by the Italian firm Ignazio Messina & Co. According to its website, the Messina Line has a fleet of 14 cargo ships.

The accident happened around 23:00 on Tuesday night, when a shift change was taking place inside the control tower, meaning there were more people inside than usual. The ship's owner, Stefano Messina, arrived at the port soon after the crash.

He told journalists: "We are all utterly shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened before, we are desperate," reported the BBC.

The cause of the crash is not yet clear, but will be investigated by Genoa's prosecutor, Corriere Della Sera said, adding that the captain was being questioned.

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