At least 36 people died after a coach plunged more than 15 metres (49 feet) off a viaduct in southern Italy on Sunday (July 28), a spokesman for the fire service said.

Eleven people were pulled out alive from the stricken coach and taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, the spokesman said.

Rescue operations are ongoing, he said. "Our men are working to save as many lives as possible."

The coach was carrying about 50 people back to Naples after visiting Telese Terme in the southern region of Campania, Italian daily La Repubblica reported.

The spokesman for the fire service described the situation as "dramatic", adding that several other vehicles were also involved in the accident.

Reports say the bus smashed through a guardrail on the flyover and dropped 30m (98ft), coming to rest in heavy undergrowth.

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