Italian authorities identify victims of fatal central Italy highway crash
Six people died and up to 30 were injured after a shuttle bus and motorhome collided head-on in central Italy.
Italian authorities have released initial details following a deadly multi-vehicle collision on State Road 79 near Colli sul Velino in Rieti province. The crash involved a head-on impact between a shuttle bus and a motorhome, which subsequently entangled three passenger cars.
Six people were killed and up to 30 were injured, with at least three remaining in critical condition. Identified victims include 49-year-old bus driver Federico Romualdi, alongside motorhome occupants Daniela Bellanca and Giampiero Colasanti.
Witnesses described the immediate aftermath as chaotic, with one bystander stating that "it seemed like a bomb exploded" amid the scattered debris. Emergency crews closed the highway in both directions to treat the injured and clear the road.
Sources: Corriere della Sera, Der Standard, Il Messaggero, La Vanguardia.
Sources
- Der Standard — Schwerer Verkehrsunfall in Mittelitalien: Sechs Tote, 27 Verletzte
- Corriere della Sera — Incidente tra pullman, camper e tre auto sulla statale Rieti-Terni: sei morti e 30 feriti (tre gravi)
- La Vanguardia — Seis muertos y 30 heridos en una colisión entre un autobús y una autocaravana en Italia
- Il Messaggero — Incidente Rieti-Terni, le vittime: Federico Romualdi, autista del bus, e Daniela Bellanca e Giampiero Colasanti che erano sul camper
Earlier coverage
- Aug 4, 2026, 01:30 AM UTCItalian prosecutors launch manslaughter probe into fatal central Italy crash
- Aug 3, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCItalian investigators examine dashcam footage after fatal highway crash
- Aug 3, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCSix dead and dozens injured in central Italy multi-vehicle crash
- Aug 2, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCSix killed and dozens injured in central Italy multi-vehicle crash