Deaths in Bergamo, Italy, more than city can handle
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The Italian city of Bergamo, one of the worst-hit by the coronavirus outbreak, is having to transport its dead out of the city as its crematorium is struggling to cope.
Army vehicles have been brought in to move dozens of coffins from Bergamo to other regions, according to Ansa news agency
Pope Francis on Wednesday called the bishop of Bergamo to voice his support and sympathy for one of Italy’s communities hardest hit by the coronavirus, the bishop told reporters.
epa08305781 The coffins of the coronavirus dead are piled up in the church of Every Saints in the cemetery in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/TIZIANO MANZONI
epa08305762 The Italian army collects coffins of the dead due to the coronavirus at the monumental cemetery to be disposed of in another crematorium oven, in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/FILIPPO VENEZIA
epa08305764 The column of military trucks loaded with coffins leaves Bergamo, Italy, 19 March 2020. An impressive column of military vehicles has crossed the heart of Bergamo tonight, from the monumental cemetery to the highway, with a border of coffin of the coronavirus dead that the Bergamo cemetery can no longer manage due to the surge: the expectations for the existing cremations now passed the week. The coffin, placed on about thirty army trucks, are about seventy and are directed to a dozen investments throughout Italy. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/FABIO CONTI
epa08305763 The Italian army collects coffins of the dead due to the coronavirus at the monumental cemetery to be disposed of in another crematorium oven, in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/FILIPPO VENEZIA
epa08305783 The coffins of the coronavirus dead are piled up in the church of Every Saints in the cemetery in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/TIZIANO MANZONI
epa08305780 Workers stand next to coffins and remains of the coronavirus victims, in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/FOTOGRAMMA
epa08305782 Workers stand next to coffins and remains of the coronavirus victims, in Bergamo, Italy, 18 March 2020. Italy is under lockdown in an attempt to stop the wide spread of Coronavirus. Italy now has more than 30,000 coronavirus cases. EPA-EFE/FOTOGRAMMA
“This morning Pope Francis called me on the phone,” said Msgr Francesco Beschi.
“The Holy Father was very affectionate showing his paternal sympathy to me, the priests, the sick, to those who treat them and to all our community.
“He wanted to ask for details on the situation that Bergamo is living through, on which he was very well informed. He was very struck by the very many deceased and for the detachment which families are forced to experience in such a painful way”.
