SHOCKING images show the collapsed Genoa bridge leaning on an apartment block after the support was chipped away to make room for a flat.

Furious locals have demanded the “guilty must pay” after the firm that controls the crumbling Morandi Bridge was accused of cutting corners in construction and maintenance.

16 The concrete support for the bridge has been chipped away Credit: AP:Associated Press

At least 39 have died after part of the busy motorway bridge collapsed during a violent lightning storm on Tuesday, sending 35 cars and trucks crashing 150ft to the ground below.

Disturbing pictures reveal how the concrete on one of the bridge stanchions was cut away so it could fit over a 1920s apartment block below.

Pictures have also emerged of the bridge looking in a crumbling state in the weeks before the disaster.

Construction on the bridge started in 1963, when the houses below existed already, and it was opened four years later.

16 Close up images show cracks around the concrete

16 The concrete support for the bridge has been chipped away Credit: Getty - Contributor

16 The Morandi Bridge pictured looking dilapidated just weeks prior to its collapse

16 The bridge as it looks now - with the large centre section of it now missing Credit: EPA

16 Rescuers inspect the rubble following the disaster that killed 39 Credit: AFP or licensors

16 Coffins containing bodies of victims were placed at the Genoa Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre Credit: Reuters

16 The death toll in the tragedy has reached 39 but is expected to rise Credit: AP:Associated Press

"I can't tell myself that this is real, I still feel like this is a movie,' said Francesco Bucchieri, 62, who watched the disaster unfold.

"There has been negligence, they underestimated the danger... we need to find the culprits, it is a scandal, the guilty must pay!"

The death toll is likely to rise and Genoa chief prosecutor Francesco Cozzi said 20 people still unaccounted for.

Those who survived the tragedy include Luigi Fiorillo who managed to stop his lorry just yards from section of the bridge that collapsed.

The first funerals were being held later Friday, ahead of a state funeral in Genoa on Saturday to be celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco.

The company in control of the collapsed Genoa bridge has been told by the Italian government to rebuild it at the firm's own expense.

Autostrade per l'Italia has been told to complete the work within limited amount of time and pay to restore buildings and other areas damaged by the collapse.

16 The bridge was built in 1963 when the apartment was already in place Credit: AP:Associated Press

16 A section of the bridge collapsed on Tuesday killing at least 39 people Credit: AP:Associated Press

16 This image appears to show wear on the underside of the bridge

16 Cracking can be seen in another photo of the underside of the bridge

16 A lorry was left teetering on the edge of the collapsed bridge after braking just in time Credit: Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP

The firm has been given 15 days to show it met its contractual obligations.

Autostrade has insisted it carried out regular safety checks but could be fined £135 million if it has been found to have breached its contract.

The company, 88 percent owned by Atlantia, has become engulfed in a political row over its motorway concessions.

Atlantia, controlled by Italy's Benetton family, is expected to hold a board meeting on Wednesday.

16 The apartment block sitting under the bridge dates from the 1920s Credit: AP:Associated Press

16 People queuing to collect their belongings in the evacuated buildings in the area next to the collapsed Morandi bridge Credit: Getty - Contributor

16 A girl takes a photo of the collapsed bridge Credit: Getty - Contributor

Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement and Italy's deputy prime minister, claimed motorway tolls could be nationalised.

"It's not possible that someone pays a toll to die," he said.

"Those who were supposed to do the maintenance work did not do it properly. That bridge should have been closed before this tragedy happened.

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"The profits that these companies make as monopolies anger many people ... a lot of money should have been invested in security, but instead it went towards dividends."

Tuesday’s disaster was the tenth bridge to collapse in Italy in the last five years alone.

The collapse has led many in Italy to also point the finger of blame at cement sold by Mafia controlled businesses.

The material is mixed with sand by the gangsters to cut cost and in Italian is called “cemento depotenziato” or “weakened cement”.

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