by Alessandra Cardone
ROME, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Italian inspectors checking on the security of the bridge that collapsed in Genoa last week warned that some parts of the structure which are still standing should be promptly demolished, or at least secured, Italian media reported on Wednesday.
The bridge connecting the western and eastern parts of Genoa partially crashed on Aug. 14, killing 43 people and injuring some 15 others.
After a first round of checks, the technicians said the eastern portion of the viaduct was precarious, and must be either torn down or made safe as soon as possible, Ansa news agency reported.
Since Monday, creaking noises originating from the parts of the bridge that are still intact were reportedly heard by rescue workers. As such, firefighters temporarily halted operations allowing evacuated inhabitants to enter the red zone and recover personal belongings from their homes under the viaduct.
Appointed by the infrastructure ministry on the same day as the disaster, the inspectors were entrusted with "carrying out technical checks and analyses" on the collapsed structure.
The governor of the Liguria region surrounding Genoa, Giovanni Toti, said: "For sure, the (eastern) stump of the bridge has to be demolished in the shortest time possible," Toti said in a broadcast address.
"This is firstly to ensure security -- although all people living in the area have been evacuated and risk nothing -- and secondly, because demolition is necessary in order to reconstruct."
The governor said the technical committee sent its communication to the ministry on Tuesday night, highlighting the presence of "some critical aspects" in the east wing of the bridge.
"There is no cause for alarm, but this (situation) will result in some urgent decisions to be taken in the next hours," Toti said.
Along with inspectors from the ministry, Genoa's chief prosecutor launched an investigation into culpable manslaughter, culpable disaster, and endangering the safety of public transport. The probe was so far against a person or persons unknown.
Architect Roberto Ferrazza, who is leading the ministry's emergency commission, said to Sky TG 24 tv channel that a series of "concurrent causes" might have brought about the partial collapse of the bridge.
The major viaduct "first twisted, and then collapsed", Ferrazza explained on Sunday, soon after inspecting it for the first time.
