- Giovanni Castellucci, a former boss of Autostrade per l’Italia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, the highest in the case.
- The court delivered its verdict on Thursday in Genoa regarding the collapse of the Morandi Bridge, which killed 43 people on August 14, 2018.
- Castellucci was convicted of complicity in multiple counts of manslaughter through negligence.
- In total, 32 people were convicted and handed sentences ranging from one year and 11 months to 12 years.
- Prosecutors argued that years of neglected maintenance, ignored warning signs, and delayed safety works contributed to the collapse.
- The disaster has been described as one of the worst tragedies in modern Italian history.
- The former head of maintenance, Michele Donferri Mitelli, was sentenced to 11 years, while Antonino Galatà, the former CEO of the SPEA engineering company, received five years and six months.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of Autostrade per l'Italia, received a 12-year prison sentence for his role in the 2018 Genoa bridge collapse that claimed 43 lives. The court's verdict, delivered after a lengthy trial involving 57 defendants, highlighted systemic negligence in bridge maintenance.1
The Morandi Bridge disaster, described as one of the worst tragedies in modern Italian history, occurred when a 50-metre section collapsed during a summer storm, sending vehicles plummeting onto warehouses and a riverbed below. Prosecutors argued that years of neglected maintenance and ignored safety warnings contributed to the collapse, with essential repairs postponed while profits were prioritized.56
In total, 32 individuals were convicted, with sentences ranging from one year and 11 months to 12 years. Alongside Castellucci, Michele Donferri Mitelli received 11 years, and Antonino Galatà was sentenced to five years and six months. The court's decision has sparked discussions about Italy's aging infrastructure and the accountability of those in charge.47
Relatives of the victims expressed mixed feelings about the verdict. Emmanuel Diaz, who lost his brother, stated he was 'very satisfied' with the outcome, while others criticized the apology from Aspi as insincere. Genoa Mayor Silvia Salis called the day one of 'immense historical and emotional weight', marking a significant step towards justice for the victims' families.
The disaster has also led to a political battle over control of Italy's motorway network, resulting in the Benetton family's relinquishment of its stake in Autostrade per l'Italia. The remains of the Morandi Bridge have since been replaced by the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, designed by architect Renzo Piano.
“Prosecutors argued neglected maintenance and ignored warning signs led to the 2018 collapse, while the defence blamed a hidden construction defect. Relatives packed the court as 32 people were convicted, and one victim's brother said he was 'very satisfied'.”
The Guardian
