Former Italian motorway CEO sentenced to 12 years for Genoa bridge collapse

The Genoa Morandi bridge collapse, which claimed 42 lives in August 2018, has now reached a decisive legal conclusion. In total, 32 individuals have been convicted for their roles in the disaster, while 25 others were either acquitted or had their cases dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The convictions cover a range of offenses, including professional negligence, breach of duty, and failure to enforce safety regulations, and the sentences vary from prison terms to substantial fines.

The trials, held in the courts of Genoa, followed extensive investigations that examined the bridge’s design, maintenance records, and the decision‑making processes of the companies and public officials involved. The acquittals and limitations rulings were largely based on insufficient evidence to prove criminal liability beyond a reasonable doubt, or on the expiration of the legal time limits for prosecuting certain civil and administrative offenses. The outcomes underscore the Italian judiciary’s effort to balance accountability with procedural fairness after a tragedy that shocked the nation.

These verdicts mark the culmination of a protracted judicial process that began shortly after the collapse. While the convictions serve as a formal acknowledgment of culpability for those found guilty, the acquittals and limitations decisions highlight the challenges of attributing responsibility in complex engineering failures. Together, the rulings represent the final legal reckoning for the Morandi bridge disaster and set a precedent for how future infrastructure catastrophes may be prosecuted in Italy.