Families of 43 victims await verdict in Genoa bridge disaster

Families of the 43 victims of the Genoa bridge collapse are awaiting the verdict that could determine liability for the disaster. Egle Possetti, who represents the victims' families committee, said, "For truthful galore years, lawyers told america that what happened was no-one's fault, that it was conscionable an accident. But this determination could beryllium symbolically truthful important. Finding who is liable could springiness america immoderate benignant of bid and a consciousness of justice." On the eve of the ruling, Autostrade per l'Italia issued its first apology for the tragedy in an open letter signed by chief executive Arrigo Giana, which appeared in two Italian newspapers. Giana, who assumed the role last year, wrote that he had long wondered why the company never apologized at the time, describing the omission as a "further, incomprehensible wound" for a community still reeling from shock. He noted that the current entity operates under different ownership and management, and that offering amends now—even though it cannot erase the families' suffering—is a moral obligation. Aspi and Spea are no longer defendants in the criminal case after reaching a settlement to pay approximately €30m (£25m) in damages. The remnants of the old viaduct were demolished in early 2019 with two explosions. A replacement structure, designed by Genoa‑born architect Renzo Piano, opened in August 2020, roughly eighteen months later. Known as the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, its sail‑like white pillars are intended to echo the city’s maritime heritage. The victims' families committee has scheduled a press conference in Genoa for Thursday evening, shortly after the verdict is announced.