Amatrice earthquake: former Accumuli mayor convicted on appeal for bell tower collapse

Rome, Nov. 12 (LaPresse) – The Rome Court of Appeal has sentenced Stefano Petrucci, former mayor of Accumuli, to eight months for manslaughter for the collapse of the bell tower of the Church of Saints Peter and Lawrence (also known as the Church of San Francesco), which, during the earthquake centered in Amatrice (Rieti) on the night of August 24, 2016, killed an entire family—father, mother, and two children (aged eight years and nine months). The bell tower collapsed onto their house, causing their deaths. In contrast, Matteo Buzzi, former site manager, was acquitted. The Attorney General of the Court of Appeal, Carlo Lasperanza, had requested three years in prison for Matteo Buzzi and one year for Stefano Petrucci.