Sentencing for 2018 Genoa bridge collapse
A former motorway boss was sentenced to 12 years in prison, and 32 people were found guilty over the 2018 Genoa bridge collapse that killed 43 people.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A court in Italy has sentenced a former motorway boss to 12 years in prison and found 32 people guilty over the collapse of a bridge in Genoa in 2018 that killed 43 people. The verdict, delivered after a four-year trial and 284 hearings, marks the conclusion of one of Italy's biggest criminal cases.
The Morandi Bridge, a motorway viaduct running through the city, came down during a rainstorm at the height of the holiday season, sending cars and lorries plummeting to the ground. CCTV captured the brief, rain-swept moment when 43 people lost their lives. The disaster exposed serious failures in the maintenance of Italy's infrastructure, with an investigation finding that cables had corroded in the five decades since the bridge was built.
Prosecutors argued that maintenance of the structure had been delayed, while defence lawyers blamed the disaster on a design flaw. The charges included negligence and manslaughter. Among those convicted were officials and engineers. The head of the country's main highway operator received the longest sentence: 12 years. He was already serving a six-year sentence for a previous road disaster involving the collapse of another bridge in southern Italy.
Victims' families reacted with relief. One relative, Marcello, who lost his daughter and stepdaughter, said the verdict was significant even if not perfect. Another, Cesare, who lost his father, expressed hope that the sentences would not be reduced on appeal. Italy has a three-stage legal system, and the defence plan to appeal.
The bridge itself was later demolished and a new one quickly built on the vital European artery. The trial has been closely watched as a test of accountability for infrastructure failures in Italy.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| A former motorway boss received a 12-year prison sentence. | ||
| 32 people, including officials and engineers, were convicted of negligence and manslaughter. | · | |
| 43 people died in the bridge collapse. | · | |
| Families of victims expressed relief at the accountability. | · | |
| Prosecutors cited maintenance delays while the defence blamed a design flaw. | · | |
| The defence plans to appeal, as Italy has a three-stage legal system. | · | |
| The trial spanned four years and included 284 hearings. | · | |
| There had been no maintenance on one pillar since the bridge opened 51 years ago. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC focused on the emotional relief of the victims' families and the long legal process. It highlighted the contrast between prosecution and defence arguments and gave a concise summary of the verdict. The tone was factual and sympathetic, with a correspondent on the scene providing a human angle.
- “So we finally have a verdict. After four years of trial and 284 hearings, the families of the victims can finally find some peace.”
- “Prosecutors argued that maintenance of the structure had been delayed while defence lawyers blamed the disaster on a design flaw.”
ITV News at Ten provided a more detailed and dramatic account, including the CEO's previous conviction, the victims' personal stories, and the appeal process. The tone was more narrative and emotional, with vivid descriptions of the collapse and the courtroom scene. It also noted that the bridge was replaced.
- “It was a catastrophic collapse that came without warning. The sight of Genoa's broken motorway bridge unforgettable. The terror of those inside the cars that plunged to the ground unimaginable.”
- “Finally, even prominent individuals have been convicted. He says the verdict isn't perfect, but it is still significant.”
- “I hope these sentences won't be shortened, that they won't be reduced in the future. And I hope that this is a verdict that will stand.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.