Nearly eight years after the devastating collapse of Genoa’s Morandi Bridge, an Italian court has delivered one of the country’s most significant infrastructure-related verdicts, sentencing former Autostrade per l’Italia (ASPI) CEO Giovanni Castellucci to 12 years in prison for his role in the tragedy that claimed 43 lives on 14 August 2018.
The ruling was announced on 16 July 2026 by the Genoa Court, where Chief Judge Paolo Lepri read verdicts for dozens of defendants following a years-long trial into the collapse of the Morandi Bridge, officially known as the Polcevera Viaduct. In total, 32 people were convicted, while 25 others were acquitted or cleared due to the statute of limitations.
What Happened in the 2018 Bridge Collapse?
The Morandi Bridge collapsed during a heavy rainstorm on 14 August 2018, when a roughly 50-meter section of the motorway gave way, sending more than 35 vehicles plunging onto railway tracks, warehouses, and the Polcevera River below.
The disaster killed 43 people and injured several others, becoming one of Italy’s deadliest infrastructure failures in modern history.
Why Was Giovanni Castellucci Convicted?
Prosecutors argued that senior executives at Autostrade per l’Italia, the company responsible for maintaining the bridge, ignored repeated warning signs about the bridge’s deteriorating condition and delayed essential maintenance despite being aware of structural risks.
The court found Castellucci guilty of negligence linked to multiple counts of manslaughter, handing him the longest prison sentence among those convicted. His legal team has announced plans to appeal the verdict, maintaining that the collapse resulted from design flaws rather than maintenance failures.
Other Convictions
Alongside Castellucci’s 12-year sentence:
- Former motorway executive Michele Donferri Mitelli received an 11-year prison sentence.
- Several engineers, infrastructure managers, and public officials were also convicted.
- Twenty-five defendants were acquitted or had charges dismissed under Italy’s statute of limitations.
Families Welcome the Verdict
Relatives of the victims filled the Genoa courtroom as the verdicts were announced. Many described the ruling as a long-awaited step toward justice after years of legal proceedings.
According to reports, families said the judgment confirmed that the disaster was preventable and that those responsible had finally been held accountable.
Lasting Impact of the Morandi Bridge Disaster
The bridge collapse triggered nationwide scrutiny of Italy’s aging infrastructure and the oversight of motorway operators. It also led to major political and corporate consequences, including the eventual loss of control of Autostrade per l’Italia by the Benetton family’s Atlantia group.
The original bridge was demolished, and the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, designed by architect Renzo Piano, opened in August 2020 as its replacement
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