Morandi Bridge Accountability
Former Autostrade CEO Castellucci Sentenced 12 Years for Fatal Morandi Bridge Collapse
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Michele Donferri received 11 years, Paolo Berti 5 years 6 months, and Antonino Galatà 5 years 6 months, with Mauro Coletta sentenced to 5 years, highlighting that other top ASPI/SPEA officials were also punished in the Morandi case.
2
About 25 defendants were acquitted or had their cases time out under the statute of limitations, leaving 32 defendants convicted in the Morandi-related proceedings.
3
The Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, opened in August 2020 as the Morandi replacement, features sail-like structures to reflect the city’s maritime heritage.
4
Renzo Piano, a Genoa native, designed the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge for free as a gift to the city.
An Italian court has sentenced Giovanni Castellucci, former head of motorway operator Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI), to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2018 Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa, according to BBC. The disaster killed 43 people when the highway viaduct gave way on August 14, 2018. Prosecutors had sought a sentence of around 18 years and six months.
Castellucci was one of 57 defendants in the case. In total, 32 people were convicted, with sentences adding up to nearly 200 years for homicide-related charges, CNN reported. About 25 defendants were acquitted or had their cases dropped due to the statute of limitations.
Key Sentences Handed Down in Genoa Courtroom
Castellucci received the heaviest sentence in the case. But other senior ASPI and maintenance arm SPEA officials were also punished. Michele Donferri, a former top SPEA executive, was sentenced to 11 years. Paolo Berti and Antonino Galatà each received 5 years and 6 months. Mauro Coletta was handed a 5-year term, according to CNN.
Castellucci is already serving a six-year sentence from a separate 2013 highway disaster. The prosecution argued that defendants knew the Morandi viaduct was at risk of collapse but did nothing to stop it. ASPI and SPEA had previously agreed to pay around 30 million euros in damages.
Victims' Families React to the Long-Awaited Verdict
Emmanuel Diaz, who lost a family member in the collapse, said he was "very satisfied" with the verdict. The case has taken nearly seven years to reach this point. For many families, the convictions represent a measure of justice for one of Italy's worst infrastructure disasters in decades.
ASPI's current CEO, Arrigo Giana, responded with an open letter apologizing for the disaster. His statement marks a clear break from the company's earlier leadership. The case puts a spotlight on accountability in Italy's highway safety management, a system critics say failed the public badly.
Genoa Rebuilt Its Bridge — With a Renzo Piano Design
The collapsed Morandi bridge was torn down after the disaster. In its place stands the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, which opened in August 2020. The new bridge was designed by Renzo Piano, a Genoa native. He drew up the plans for free as a gift to his home city, according to Yahoo News.
The design features sail-like structures meant to reflect Genoa's identity as a maritime city. The bridge has become a symbol of the city's recovery. Its opening was seen as a turning point — though families of the 43 victims made clear that no structure could replace the lives lost.
Why the Morandi Bridge Fell — and Who Knew What
Prosecutors argued that ASPI and SPEA officials were aware the Morandi viaduct was in serious danger of collapsing. Despite this knowledge, no action was taken to close or repair it. The bridge was a key artery connecting Genoa's port to the wider Italian highway network.
The collapse happened during a rainstorm on a Tuesday morning. Dozens of vehicles plunged into the Polcevera river below. The disaster triggered a national debate about the state of Italy's aging infrastructure and who bears responsibility when public safety is ignored, BBC reported.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
13
Articles
48
Reach
61
A
AnonymousAuthor