Italian officials handed jail terms for Genoa bridge disaster that killed 43

Giovanni Castellucci, the former chief executive of Italy's motorway operator, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2018 collapse of Genoa's Morandi bridge. The disaster claimed the lives of 43 people when the vital viaduct gave way during a heavy rainstorm, sending cars and trucks plummeting onto the ground below.

Prosecutors had sought a significantly longer sentence for Castellucci, who is already serving time for a separate 2013 road disaster. He was among 57 defendants on trial in Genoa. Another high-ranking official, Michele Donferri Mitelli, received an 11-year jail term. The former number two at the operator, Paolo Berti, was sentenced to five and a half years.

“

very satisfied

Families of the victims shared their reactions to the verdict. Emmanuel Diaz, whose brother was among those killed, stated he was "very satisfied." Egle Possetti, who lost her sister and her family, described the 12-year sentence for Castellucci as "acceptable." However, the sentences fall short of the 400 years in jail that prosecutors had requested for all defendants, who had denied wrongdoing.

Prosecutors argued that the aging structure's maintenance was repeatedly delayed and warning signs were ignored. Defense lawyers, however, attributed the collapse to a design flaw and the encasing of a specific cable in concrete. Castellucci was not present in court to hear the judge read the verdicts.

“

acceptable