A surprising reversal in the ongoing trial after the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in August 2018 with 43 deaths: the former head of the highway company “Autostrade per l’Italia”, which operated the dilapidated bridge, and nine other accused managers have paid damages 193 co-plaintiffs. But that should not be an admission of guilt, it was emphasized.
“The settlement is in no way intended by those involved as an admission of guilt, even by implication, but merely as an act of relief to a significant number of individuals, families, small businesses and unions who have suffered significant harm as a result of the accident. ” reads a letter from the ten manager defenders.
Suspects would have expected the bridge to collapse
The suspects are Giovanni Castellucci, the former head of the highway company “Autostrade per l’Italia”, as well as other high-ranking managers of the highway authority, experts and senior officials at the Ministry of Transport in Rome. According to the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office, most of them expected the collapse of the bridge, built in the 1960s, and still did nothing to prevent it. Instead, as much money as possible was saved on maintenance to secure higher dividends for shareholders. It was also said that damage to the structure was known long before the collapse.
The trial has been running since July 2022 with a total of 59 suspects due to the bridge collapse. The suspects are charged with negligent homicide, intentional bodily harm, obstruction of official acts, falsification of documents and willful failure to provide safety equipment in the workplace.
Tragedy left hundreds homeless
The accident happened in pouring rain while families were on their way to their summer holidays in Liguria. Hundreds living in houses under the long high bridge were left homeless. The remains of the building were demolished. In August 2020, a new bridge designed by star architect Renzo Piano was inaugurated, called “Ponte San Giorgio”.
Source: Krone
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