MAY 8, 2013 — At least five people have died and four are missing after the RO/RO containership Jolly Nero crashed into a control tower in the port of Genoa, Italy, according to local media.

Front page photo of Il Secolo XIX newspaper shows that all that remains of Genoa control tower is an external staircase

The Italian-flag ship, owned by Genoa headquartered Ignazio Messina, was maneuvering out of port with tugboat assistance and in calm conditions when it slammed into the dockside tower. The incident took place at about 11.00 p.m. local time when a shift change was taking place in the tower with as many as 14 inside.

File photo posted by Il Secolo XIX shows tower before the incident

Reportedly, three were trapped inside an elevator that fell into the water as the concrete and glass tower collapsed.

Three people were reported to have been trapped inside a lift that fell into the water as the tower collapsed. It was reduced to rubble, leaving only a battered exterior staircase standing.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, but Genoa's Il Secolo XIX newspaper quoted the Jolly Nero's captain as saying that two engines appeared to have failed and "we lost control of the ship."