Genoa Court Sentences Former Autostrade Chief to 12 Years; Defense Blames Bridge Design Flaw

A Genoa court sentenced Giovanni Castellucci, former chief executive of Autostrade per l'Italia, to 12 years in prison for the 2018 Morandi bridge collapse that killed 43 people. Judge Paolo Lepri read the verdict on 16 July 2026. Prosecutors had requested a longer term.

The motorway bridge in Genoa, designed by Riccardo Morandi and completed in 1967, collapsed during a rainstorm at the height of the holiday season. Cars and lorries fell to the ground below. Castellucci, who is already serving a six-year sentence for a 2013 road disaster, was one of 57 defendants.

Michele Donferri Mitelli, a top motorway official, received 11 years. Paolo Berti, former number two at Autostrade per l'Italia, and Antonino Galatà, former chief executive of Spea, each received five-and-a-half years. Mauro Coletta, former top official at the ministry's motorway directorate, was sentenced to five years.

BBC reported these additional sentences. Emmanuel Diaz, whose brother Henry died in the collapse, told Italian TV he was "very satisfied" with the verdict. Egle Possetti, whose sister and her family were killed, said the 12-year term for Castellucci was "acceptable".

Castellucci was not in court. Prosecutors had requested a total of 400 years in prison for the 57 defendants. All defendants denied wrongdoing. Defence lawyers attributed the collapse to a design flaw and a cable encased in concrete, while prosecutors argued that maintenance had been delayed and warning signs ignored.