An Italian court in Genoa sentenced Giovanni Castellucci, the former head of motorway operator Atlantia, to 12 years in prison on Thursday [1].

The ruling marks a critical legal milestone in the aftermath of one of Italy's deadliest infrastructure failures. It establishes corporate accountability for the systemic negligence that led to a massive loss of life.

Castellucci was convicted of manslaughter and negligence for failing to ensure the safety of the Morandi bridge [1], [2]. The bridge collapsed on Aug. 14, 2018, resulting in the deaths of 43 people [1], [3].

The court found that the former executive played a key role in the failure to maintain the structure, which led to the tragedy [2], [3]. The legal proceedings focused on whether the operator ignored warning signs of structural decay to prioritize profit over public safety.

While the sentencing of the former CEO is a focal point, several other individuals were also found guilty. Reports on the total number of convictions vary, with some sources stating 32 people were convicted [4], and others citing as many as 57 [5].

The Morandi bridge collapse triggered a national crisis in Italy, exposing the deterioration of the country's aging motorway network. The disaster led to years of litigation and a complete overhaul of how the state monitors critical infrastructure [2], [3].

Castellucci's 12-year sentence reflects the severity of the negligence identified by the court [1]. The proceedings in Genoa have served as a primary venue for the victims' families to seek justice for the 2018 disaster [3].

“Giovanni Castellucci was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2018 Morandi bridge collapse.”

This sentencing signals a shift in the Italian judiciary's approach to corporate negligence, moving beyond fines to impose significant prison time on high-ranking executives. By holding the former head of Atlantia personally accountable for the 43 deaths, the court emphasizes that infrastructure maintenance is a legal obligation of leadership, not just a technical failure of engineering.