The city of Genoa is bracing itself for a historic moment as families of the 43 victims of the Morandi bridge collapse gather at the courthouse today, 16 July 2026. The dramatic events of that fateful day in August 2018 continue to have far-reaching implications not only for Italy but also for UK citizens who rely on European road networks for trade and travel.
The devastating incident occurred when a section of the vital motorway viaduct collapsed during a summer storm, sending vehicles plummeting onto the railway tracks below. Among those killed were Claudia Possetti, 47, her new husband Andrea, and their two children, aged 12 and 16, who were on their way to a family holiday.
The collapse triggered an extensive investigation into how the structure, built in the 1960s and a key route connecting Genoa to the French border, was allowed to fail. Since July 2022, 57 individuals have stood trial, including former executives of toll road operator Autostrade per l'Italia and its parent company Atlantia, engineers from maintenance firm Spea, and former transport ministry officials. They face a range of charges, from multiple manslaughter to falsifying documents, all of which the defendants deny.
At the heart of the legal battle lies a fundamental disagreement over the cause of the disaster. Prosecutors argue that maintenance delays and ignored warning signs were prioritised over profit. Conversely, defence lawyers claim that a design flaw in a specific concrete-encased cable was the true culprit, asserting that no maintenance regime could have prevented the failure.
The trial has spanned almost four years and involved 284 hearings, with many attributing its length to deeper issues within Italy's justice system. Francesco Pinto, the former deputy chief prosecutor on the case, expects an appeal and a final Supreme Court ruling to add another two and a half years to proceedings.
The Morandi bridge collapse has also sparked a significant debate about the state of Italy's infrastructure, highlighting aging structures and persistent maintenance challenges. Egle Possetti, Claudia's sister and representative of the victims' families committee, expressed hope that the verdict will definitively assign responsibility. On the eve of the verdict, Autostrade per l'Italia issued its first apology for the disaster.