Funeral held for 38 victims of bus crash

POZZUOLI, Italy, July 30 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people filled a small stadium Tuesday in Pozzuoli, Italy, for funeral services for the 38 people killed in a bus crash, organizers said.

The bishop of the southern town led the service, and the mayor, Vincenzo Figliolia, spoke at the ceremony, ANSA news agency said.

"We must make sure their deaths are not in vane. Something didn't work, someone is responsible. We must find clarity and I'm sure we will," he said.

Police suspect the bus suffered a mechanical failure Sunday before striking six cars on the highway, going through a guardrail and flying off a viaduct.

But prosecutors have also opened a manslaughter investigation, the BBC said.

The bus was carrying a group of friends returning from a weekend excursion to the birthplace of Padre Pio, an Italian priest who was canonized in 2002.

Before Tuesday's ceremony, the victims' families placed flowers, photographs and other memorabilia on the coffins, the BBC said.