A large section of a highway bridge in northern Italy collapsed Tuesday during torrential rains, crushing vehicles and causing fatalities, authorities said.

Dozens of rescuers worked to free people trapped in their vehicles and to treat the injured.

The Morandi Bridge, also known as the Polcevera Viaduct, is a major thoroughfare, connecting the port of Genoa with Genoa airport and towns along the coast.

A truck is seen Wednesday, August 15, near the edge of a section of the bridge that collapsed.
A truck is seen Wednesday, August 15, near the edge of a section of the bridge that collapsed.
Antonio Calanni/AP
Emergency services continue their rescue and recovery work Tuesday evening in the dark.
Emergency services continue their rescue and recovery work Tuesday evening in the dark.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
A rescuer and a survivor are lifted from the debris.
A rescuer and a survivor are lifted from the debris.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (center) visits the site of the collapse.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (center) visits the site of the collapse.
Federico Scoppa/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers on Tuesday recover the body of a victim.
Rescuers on Tuesday recover the body of a victim.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP
A woman is comforted at the scene.
A woman is comforted at the scene.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP
A rescuer climbs through the rubble of the bridge in search of victims and survivors.
A rescuer climbs through the rubble of the bridge in search of victims and survivors.
Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters prepare to transport an injured person from the site of the Morandi Bridge collapse.
Firefighters prepare to transport an injured person from the site of the Morandi Bridge collapse.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP
Emergency crews gather at the site.
Emergency crews gather at the site.
Federico Scoppa/AFP/Getty Images
A remaining section of the bridge looms amid buildings in Genoa.
A remaining section of the bridge looms amid buildings in Genoa.
Fabio Palli/NurPhoto via Getty Images
A helicopter flies over the rubble.
A helicopter flies over the rubble.
Piero Cruciatti/AFP/Getty Images
An injured man speaks to reporters near the bridge.
An injured man speaks to reporters near the bridge.
Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP
A rescuer and a stretcher are lifted above the wreckage.
A rescuer and a stretcher are lifted above the wreckage.
Andrea Leoni/AFP/Getty Images
Two rescue helicopters land near the Morandi Bridge.
Two rescue helicopters land near the Morandi Bridge.
Paolo Rattini/Getty Images
Bystanders watch the rescue operation.
Bystanders watch the rescue operation.
Andrea Leoni/AFP/Getty Images
Police officers look on near the stricken bridge,
Police officers look on near the stricken bridge,
Paolo Rattini/Getty Images
A truck is seen in the wreckage of the bridge.
A truck is seen in the wreckage of the bridge.
Andrea Leoni/AFP/Getty Images
A Red Cross first aid tent is set up at the disaster scene.
A Red Cross first aid tent is set up at the disaster scene.
Paolo Rattini/Getty Images
Rescues work among the twisted debris.
Rescues work among the twisted debris.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP
Vehicles line a part of the bridge that remains standing.
Vehicles line a part of the bridge that remains standing.
Andrea Leoni/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers work Tuesday amid the rubble.
Rescuers work Tuesday amid the rubble.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
The rubble from the collapsed portion of the bridge is seen from afar.
The rubble from the collapsed portion of the bridge is seen from afar.
La Repubblica/Ropi via ZUMA Press
A large section of the bridge lay where it collapsed during a storm.
A large section of the bridge lay where it collapsed during a storm.
LUCA ZENNARO/ANSA/EPA-EFE
Emergency crews work amid the debris.
Emergency crews work amid the debris.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
Concrete slabs crumpled on top of each other when the section of the bridge collapsed.
Concrete slabs crumpled on top of each other when the section of the bridge collapsed.
Luca Zennaro/AP
Onlookers view the collapsed bridge.
Onlookers view the collapsed bridge.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
A rescue helicopter lands near the site of the collapse.
A rescue helicopter lands near the site of the collapse.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
Emergency crews work at the scene.
Emergency crews work at the scene.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
A chunk of the collapsed bridge teeters atop the rubble.
A chunk of the collapsed bridge teeters atop the rubble.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
Italian first responders work to locate victims.
Italian first responders work to locate victims.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA/EPA-EFE
An emergency services worker views the bridge debris.
An emergency services worker views the bridge debris.
Luca Zennaro/ANSA via AP