A tragic incident unfolded in Turin on March 26, 2025, when a tourist bus from Di Carlo Tours fell into the Po River near Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The accident occurred shortly before 6 PM, leading to the death of the bus driver, Nicola Di Carlo, aged 64, who was the only person on board.
According to reports from local news outlet TorinoToday, the bus was making a reversing maneuver when it broke through the stone parapet along Corso Cairoli and plunged into the river. Eyewitnesses described the bus as moving at a high speed before it fell. "I saw the bus going straight towards the void, it remained vertical for a few seconds. Then it went down, straight down. It made a loud thud in the water, and all the people around started to scream," recounted a witness.
Immediate rescue efforts were initiated by local volunteers from the Amici del Fiume club, who used a motorboat to reach the submerged vehicle. They successfully retrieved Di Carlo from the bus before the firefighters arrived. However, despite attempts to revive him for over 20 minutes, he was later declared dead at the hospital.
Three pedestrians, all women from the same family, were injured before the bus fell. They were reportedly struck as the bus swerved and were taken to CTO hospital with minor injuries, classified as non-serious. Witnesses described seeing the bus brush past these individuals before it fell into the river.
The scene was chaotic as emergency services, including ambulances, police, and firefighters, rushed to the location. Traffic was halted on the Vittorio Emanuele I bridge, causing significant disruptions in the surrounding area. The mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, along with local officials, arrived at the scene to oversee the emergency response.
As the investigation into the incident continues, preliminary reports suggest that Di Carlo may have suffered a sudden illness while reversing the bus. Firefighters have speculated that a medical emergency could have caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
Witnesses have provided varied accounts of the moments leading up to the accident. Filippo Camedda, a local bar owner, stated, "It could have been a disaster. The bus came down at high speed. It hit the parapet and then fell into the river. I saw a lady treated for an ankle injury and another person nearby. The firefighters suggested that the driver may have had a heart attack."
Another witness, Wilhelm Teli, a rowing instructor, was one of the first to respond. He described how he and his colleagues quickly mobilized to assist the driver. "I was on the phone with a colleague when he shouted to me to run, a bus had fallen into the river," Teli said. He and others used a hammer to break the bus windows to reach the driver, who they found unconscious.
In light of the incident, the local authorities have temporarily closed access to the bridge and the surrounding streets to facilitate recovery operations and ensure public safety. The bus, partially submerged, is expected to be recovered later in the evening as divers and rescue teams continue to search the area for any additional victims.
The bus belonged to Di Carlo Tours, a transport company based in Campobasso. The company has expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased driver. Traffic disruptions have been significant, with many commuters caught in the aftermath of the accident.
As the community grapples with this tragic event, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to the bus's fall and ensuring the safety of all road users in the future. The investigation is ongoing, with local police interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to determine the exact cause of the accident.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of urban transportation and the importance of safety measures in preventing such tragedies. The city of Turin will undoubtedly reflect on this event and consider how to enhance safety protocols to protect its residents and visitors.
