The accident occurred on Monday morning near the town of Ferrara, to the northeast of Bologna, when the bus carrying 54 tourists bound for Florence slowed down due to thick fog, and was hit by a following truck, causing a vehicle pile-up.
"There are still seven people in hospital, and by doctors' forecasts, they should remain there for two to 40 days, as one of them has sustained a serious brain injury," Oleg Terentyev said.
He said four of the patients were in a grave condition. One woman has undergone surgery.
Terentyev said that the Italian bus was in good technical condition, and the driver was sober at the time of the crash.
The consul said most of the tourists had decided to continue their journey to Florence after the accident.
