Genoa bridge disaster: Former highway chief gets 12 years in prison

A court in Italy has handed down a 12-year prison sentence to Giovanni Castellucci, the former CEO of Autostrade per Italia. The conviction stems from the catastrophic collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa in 2018, an event that claimed the lives of 43 people.

Castellucci, who led the highway operator at the time of the disaster, was found guilty of multiple counts of manslaughter and causing a disaster. Prosecutors argued that the company, under Castellucci's leadership, had neglected crucial safety checks and maintenance on the bridge, despite knowing about its structural weaknesses.

The collapse of the Morandi Bridge, a major artery in Genoa, sent shockwaves across Italy and raised serious questions about infrastructure safety and corporate accountability. The lengthy trial focused on complex engineering reports and internal company communications that allegedly revealed a pattern of negligence.