Genoa Bridge Collapse: Ex-Motorways CEO Gets 12 Years

Thirty-two individuals, including the former chief executive of Italy’s motorway operator, have been convicted in connection with the 2018 collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, an event that resulted in the deaths of 43 people. The verdicts were delivered on Thursday in the north-western Italian city.

Giovanni Castellucci, who previously served as the head of Autostrade per l’Italia, received the most severe sentence, a 12-year prison term. This conviction marks a significant judicial outcome for the tragedy that occurred on August 14, 2018, when a large section of the Morandi Bridge, a vital transport link, gave way during heavy rainfall, sending vehicles and debris plummeting onto the city below.

The trial focused on allegations of negligence and falsification of safety checks related to the maintenance and structural integrity of the bridge. Prosecutors argued that systemic failures and a disregard for safety protocols by the motorway operator contributed directly to the catastrophic failure. The collapse led to widespread disruption and prompted a national debate on infrastructure safety in Italy.

Autostrade per l’Italia, a subsidiary of the Atlantia conglomerate, has faced intense scrutiny and legal challenges since the disaster. The company has since undergone significant changes in its management and ownership structure. The convictions aim to establish accountability for the lives lost and the extensive damage caused by the bridge's collapse.