Italian Court Jails Former Motorway Boss Giovanni Castellucci for Genoa Bridge Collapse

A court in Genoa has sentenced Giovanni Castellucci, the former chief executive of Autostrade per l'Italia (ASPI), to 12 years in prison. The conviction stems from the catastrophic collapse of the Morandi Bridge in August 2018, which resulted in the deaths of 43 individuals.

Alongside Castellucci, another 10 former ASPI and Spea Engineering employees received prison sentences ranging from eight to 11 years. These entities were responsible for the management and maintenance of the ill-fated motorway viaduct.

The extensive trial, which began in July 2022, heard from nearly 100 defendants. However, 70 opted for out-of-court settlements. During the proceedings, prosecutors argued that the defendants, through negligence and insufficient maintenance, were directly culpable for the bridge's failure. The Morandi Bridge, a vital artery for the city of Genoa, crumbled during a torrential downpour, plunging vehicles and concrete sections into the riverbed below.

The collapse drew significant national and international scrutiny, highlighting systemic failures in Italy's infrastructure oversight. The company, Autostrade per l'Italia, was subsequently nationalised in 2021, marking a significant shift in the control of Italy's extensive motorway network.