Genoa Court Nears Verdict for 57 in 2018 Bridge Collapse That Killed 43
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
Genoa Court Nears Verdict for 57 in 2018 Bridge Collapse That Killed 43
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
Summary
Thursday's first-instance ruling will cap nearly eight years of waiting for families of the 43 people killed when Genoa's Morandi bridge collapsed in August 2018.
Fifty-seven defendants have been tried since July 2022 over charges including multiple manslaughter and falsifying documents, while prosecutors argue maintenance was delayed and warning signs ignored.
Defense lawyers say a design flaw in the failed cable—not maintenance lapses—caused the collapse, and some lesser charges have already expired under Italy's statute of limitations.
Autostrade per l'Italia issued its first apology on the eve of the verdict, though Aspi and Spea are no longer criminal defendants after agreeing to pay about €30 million in damages.
The case has become a wider test of accountability for Italy's aging infrastructure, with appeals and a final Supreme Court ruling still likely to take another two and a half years.