The major trial into the flooding caused by Cyclone Cleopatra, which swept through Sardinia on November 18, 2013, causing devastation and death, particularly in the Nuoro area, concluded today with an acquittal for all defendants. The Court of Nuoro, presided over by Judge Elena Meloni, acquitted the 58 defendants "because the facts were not proven," bringing to an end an eleven-year trial that saw alternating serious charges such as manslaughter, manslaughter due to disaster, and negligent injury.
Cyclone Cleopatra brought torrential rains and floods that devastated several areas of Sardinia, including the towns of Oloè, Torpè, and Sològo. Among the victims were police officer Luca Tanzi, who died when the asphalt on a bridge in Oloè collapsed while an ambulance was passing, and elderly Maria Frigiolini, who was swept away by the flooding of the Maccheronis dam in Torpè. The charges brought in the trial concerned lack of coordination in managing the emergency, deficiencies in civil defense plans, and the alleged unpreparedness of institutions to deal with such an exceptional event.
In December 2024, prosecutors Selene Desole and Ireno Satta requested the acquittal of all defendants, after an eight-hour hearing before Judge Meloni. According to the prosecution, the investigation and trial had failed to establish any liability or direct responsibility on the part of the directors, technicians, managers, and representatives of the companies involved. Furthermore, in many cases, the devastation caused by the flood was deemed "not concretely foreseeable" due to its exceptional nature.
Even in cases where the Prosecutor's Office acknowledged deficiencies, such as the failure to activate the municipal civil protection plan in Torpè, the statute of limitations has kicked in.
Today's ruling fully upheld the prosecutors' requests. Among those acquitted, because the facts were not proven, were former president of the Province of Nuoro Roberto Deriu, former provincial councilors Franco Corosu and Paolo Porcu, and numerous public officials, technicians, and officials from the Forestry Authority, the municipalities involved, the Civil Protection Department, and various companies. Former mayor of Torpè Antonella Dalu and councilor Giancarlo Dui, charged in connection with the death of Mrs. Frigiolini, were also acquitted. However, their charges of manslaughter in connection with Frigiolini's death were acquitted due to the statute of limitations.