The famous international architect Renzo Piano has offered to design a new bridge to replace the collapsed Morandi Bridge in Genoa, free of charge. The 80 year-old, who designed the Shard in London and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, said he was offering his services as a gift to his hometown following the sudden collapse of the bridge on August 14.

Mr Piano made his offer to the Governor of the Liguria region, Giovanni Toti, who was happy to accept it.

“My commitment is primarily moral, to make sure that the new bridge will have the traits of Genoa, our qualities and a little of our parsimony,” the architect said. He added: “I can not think of anything other than this bridge.” Giovanni Toti responded by saying that the offer has been accepted “with joy.”

Forty-three lives were lost when the Morandi Bridge collapsed suddenly in a storm following several warnings of the urgent need of repairs or replacement. The highway operator, Autostrade per l’Italia, which is majority-owned by the Benetton family, has come under fire for putting profits above safety.