Families of Italy Bridge Collapse Victims Boycott State Funeral

Italy’s top politicians gathered in Genoa on Saturday for a joint state funeral service honoring 18 of the dozens killed in this week’s bridge collapse, but many families of the victims reportedly chose to boycott the event out of anger at the government. The service, attended by President Sergio Materella, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, was held just hours after rescue workers reportedly found four more bodies in the wreckage Saturday, bringing the death toll to 42. The service featured 18 coffins adorned with flowers and photos of each of those killed in the Morandi Bridge collapse. First responders also attended the service and received a standing ovation from mourners. But several families who blame the government for the tragedy reportedly refused to take part. Roberto Battiloro, the father of one of the victims, told Italian media he wanted nothing to do with the “parade of politicians.” Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise as firefighters continue to lift up the wreckage, with little hope of finding any survivors. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation.