Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa: former Autostrade chief sentenced to 12 years in prison
Giovanni Castellucci, former chief executive officer of Autostrade per l'Italia, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the collapse of the Morandi viaduct in Genoa in 2018, which killed 43 people.
Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa: former Autostrade chief sentenced to 12 years in prison
On 14 August 2018, a section of approximately 200 metres of the Morandi viaduct in Genoa collapsed during a violent storm. 43 people died. On Thursday, almost eight years later, the court issued its verdict in the major trial. Giovanni Castellucci, former head of the Autostrade per l'Italia company, must serve 12 years in prison.
The public prosecutor had requested almost 400 years in total sentences for all the defendants. The majority of the roughly 60 accused did not appear in court on Thursday morning, as reported by 20 Minuten.
Survivors recounted dramatic moments. Valentina Galbusera, interviewed by the ANSA news agency, compared the collapse of the pillars to the Twin Towers. Marina Guagliata and her daughter Camilla were buried under the rubble. The mother removed stones from her daughter's face and mouth before losing consciousness. Both survived with serious injuries.
The investigating judge established that since 1967, the year of inauguration, no maintenance measures had been taken to reinforce the steel reinforcement of the pillars. The defendants are accused of multiple involuntary manslaughter and serious omissions in maintenance. The defence argues instead that the disaster was due to a hidden structural defect.
Only twelve defendants agreed to answer the judges' questions. Twenty-one made spontaneous statements. Egle Possetti, who lost her sister, brother-in-law, nephew and niece, chairs the family members' committee. "This tragedy has shaken our trust in the State," she said. No one admitted responsibility during the lengthy trial.
Source: 20 Minuten