Genoa bridge disaster trial concludes with 32 convictions
After more than two years of deliberation in Italy’s Emilia‑Romagna court, the trial over the fatal 2018 collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa has reached a verdict. Thirty‑two defendants were found guilty of varying degrees of negligence that led to the tragedy.
The most senior figure sentenced is Giovanni Castellucci, the former chief executive of Italy’s national motorway operator. He had already been serving a six‑year prison term for a separate 2013 road disaster. Castellucci now faces an additional twelve‑year sentence for his role in the Genoa incident.
Among those convicted are senior motorway officials Michele Donferri Mitelli, who received eleven years in prison, and several other managers responsible for maintenance and oversight of the bridge’s structure.
The Morandi bridge collapse was triggered by a severe rainstorm during Genoa’s peak holiday period. The disaster claimed the lives of 43 people, when heavy traffic vehicles plunged from the bridge into the water below. The court’s verdict acknowledges that failures in inspection and emergency preparedness were central to the tragedy.
BBC journalist Davide Ghiglione has tracked the investigation from the initial collapse through to the criminal proceedings. He explains how investigative reports highlighted structural deficiencies, leading to a criminal inquiry against those in charge of the motorway authority.
The sentencing marks a turning point for Italian officials, sending a message that negligence in public infrastructure will incur significant legal repercussions. It also highlights the need for stricter oversight, better maintenance protocols, and swift inspections to avert future catastrophes.
