Italy's government opened an investigation on Thursday into the country's biggest toll-road operator, hours after saying it could face a heavy fine or lose its concession over a bridge collapse that killed at least 38 people.
A section of the bridge gave way on Tuesday during busy lunchtime traffic, plunging dozens of vehicles 50 meters (160 feet) below and engulfing Autostrade per l'Italia in a political fire storm.
Launching its investigation late on Thursday, the Transport Ministry said it had given Autostrade 15 days to show it had met all its contractual obligations, adding it wanted the company to rebuild the bridge at its own expense.