Nearly seven years after the Morandi bridge disaster shocked Italy, has justice finally begun to catch up?
For many families of the 43 victims, Thursday’s verdict is an important first step—but not the final chapter.
Giovanni Castellucci, the former chief executive of motorway operator Autostrade per l’Italia, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The sentence was over the 2018 collapse of the Genoa bridge.
Another senior executive, Michele Donferri Mitelli, received 11 years.
Prosecutors had sought even tougher penalties, arguing that repeated maintenance delays and ignored warning signs contributed to the tragedy.
The court convicted 32 of the 57 defendants, while others were acquitted or cleared due to legal time limits.
Verdict Delivers Justice
Defence lawyers insisted the collapse stemmed from a design flaw rather than negligence.
For grieving families, the ruling brought a measure of relief. Emmanuel Diaz, who lost his brother, said he was “very satisfied” with the verdict.
Egle Possetti, whose sister and her family died in the collapse, called Castellucci’s sentence “acceptable”, saying it “opens up a ray of light.“
Appeals are expected, meaning the legal battle is far from over.
But the tragedy unfolded in seconds and left scars that still endure.
Thursday’s ruling sends a powerful message: accountability may take years, but it doesn’t disappear with time.
