Genoa bridge accident: 43 victims’ families await verdict

After years of uncertainty, the families of the victims are searching for answers.

Egle Posetti, who represents the victims’ families committee, says she hopes that she and other relatives of the deceased will be held accountable.

“For years, lawyers have told us that what happened was no one’s fault, it was just an accident. But this decision could be symbolically important. Finding out who is responsible can give us some peace and a sense of justice.”

On the eve of the verdict, Autostrade Per Li Italia issued its first apology over the accident, in an open letter from CEO Arrigo Gianna published in two Italian newspapers.

Gianna, who took over last year, wrote that he had long wondered why the company didn’t apologize at the time, calling it “an even more incomprehensible wound” to an already shocked community.

He said that the current organization is working in various ownership and management functions and making adjustments at present cannot reverse the family’s pain but it is a moral obligation. ASP and Spa have not been charged with criminal charges, agreeing to pay damages of around €30m (£25m).

The remains of the old viaduct were blown up in two explosions in early 2019.

A new viaduct designed by Genoa-born architect Renzo Piano opened in August 2020 after 18 months.

Known as the San Giorgio Bridge of Genoa, its sail-like white piers are meant to evoke the city’s maritime history.

A committee of victims’ families is due to hold a press conference in Genoa on Thursday evening after the verdict.