The former CEO of Italy’s main highway operator, Giovanni Castellucci, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2018 collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, an event that claimed the lives of 43 people. The verdict, delivered on July 16, 2026, brings a significant legal conclusion to the tragedy that shocked Italy and highlighted issues of infrastructure safety.

The collapse of the Morandi Bridge, a vital artery in Genoa, occurred on August 14, 2018. The structure, which was managed by Autostrade per l'Italia, buckled under heavy rain and traffic, sending vehicles and debris plummeting onto the city below. The disaster exposed systemic failures in maintenance and safety oversight within the company responsible for much of Italy's motorway network.

Prosecutors argued that Autostrade, under Castellucci's leadership, had neglected crucial maintenance and safety checks on the aging bridge, despite knowing about its structural weaknesses. The 12-year sentence reflects the gravity of the charges, which included multiple counts of manslaughter and causing a disaster. Families of the victims have expressed that the verdict validates their long-held belief that the tragedy was preventable and a result of corporate negligence.

The sentencing of Castellucci is expected to have broader implications for corporate accountability in infrastructure safety across Italy. It underscores the potential legal consequences for executives when safety protocols are not adequately maintained, potentially leading to stricter regulatory scrutiny and increased vigilance among other major infrastructure operators.

Autostrade per l'Italia, a subsidiary of the Atlantia group, has faced intense scrutiny and significant financial repercussions since the collapse. The Italian government initiated proceedings to revoke its operating concessions, and Atlantia eventually agreed to a takeover by a consortium led by state-backed CDP Equity. The company has also been involved in extensive compensation payouts to the victims' families and for the reconstruction of the bridge, now known as the San Giorgio Bridge.

Legal proceedings have been lengthy, with numerous defendants including engineers and former Autostrade officials. The trial focused on complex technical evidence regarding the bridge's structural integrity and the adequacy of its maintenance over the years. The prosecution presented evidence suggesting a pattern of inadequate inspections and a failure to address critical vulnerabilities identified in previous studies.

Experts in structural engineering and public infrastructure management have pointed to the Genoa case as a stark warning about the challenges of maintaining aging infrastructure in developed nations. Many countries face similar issues with bridges, tunnels, and other critical transport links that require substantial and ongoing investment to ensure public safety.

The conviction of Castellucci, a high-profile figure in Italy's corporate world, is likely to embolden calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects. Unresolved questions may linger regarding the full extent of responsibility among all parties involved and the long-term measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.