World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Livorno prosecutors seek to close latest Moby Prince investigation
On 10 April 1991, the Moby Prince ferry collided with the Agip Abruzzo tanker off Livorno, Italy, and 140 people died.
The ferry had been heading from Livorno toward Olbia when it caught fire.
After years of inquiries, Livorno prosecutors have asked for the latest criminal investigation to be closed, saying they found no evidence to support an alternative account of the disaster.
They said the passage of 35 years has made evidence and witness testimony difficult to assess, while crimes caused by negligence are time-barred.
The investigation found the tanker was probably anchored in a restricted area and that rescue efforts were badly organised, but said it could not establish a criminal case.
The victims’ families say they will keep seeking answers and are considering what steps they can take.
They hope a parliamentary inquiry now under way can establish a fuller historical account.
Livorno prosecutors have asked a court to close the latest investigation into the 1991 Moby Prince ferry disaster.
The collision and fire killed 140 people when the ferry struck the oil tanker Agip Abruzzo near Livorno.
Prosecutors said the passage of 35 years made it extremely difficult to establish criminal responsibility, and that no alternative reconstruction or new evidence had emerged.
They said the disaster involved a chain of causes, including a possibly restricted anchorage, deficient safety systems and badly organised rescue efforts.
Families of victims said they were disappointed and would consider available legal steps, while calling for a parliamentary inquiry to continue.
- Who
- Livorno prosecutors, led by Maurizio Agnello and Sabrina Carmazzi, requested closure of the investigation.
- What
- Prosecutors asked to close the latest criminal investigation into the Moby Prince disaster.
- When
- The disaster happened on 10 April 1991; prosecutors announced the request on 10 November 2026.
- Where
- In the waters off Livorno, Italy.
- Why
- Prosecutors said the long passage of time and lack of evidence made it extremely difficult to establish criminal responsibility.
Livorno prosecutors
Victims' family associations
Investigation
Livorno prosecutors
Prosecutors said there was no alternative reconstruction or new evidence sufficient to pursue the case.
Victims' family associations
The associations said they would consider every legal initiative available and continued to seek the truth.
Historical account
Livorno prosecutors
Prosecutors said remaining uncertainties could not be resolved through a criminal investigation.
Victims' family associations
The associations said earlier parliamentary inquiries had challenged incomplete judicial accounts and called for a new inquiry to complete its work.
The Moby Prince collided with the Agip Abruzzo near Livorno and caught fire, killing 140 people.
A report by the Senate's second parliamentary inquiry was filed, highlighting problems in earlier reconstructions.
The latest investigation was opened, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.
A separate investigation by the Florence anti-mafia directorate was closed.
Livorno prosecutors announced they had asked for the latest investigation to be closed.
- Deaths
- 140 people
- Disaster date
- 10 April 1991
- Location
- Near Livorno, Italy
- Vessel collision
- Moby Prince and oil tanker Agip Abruzzo
- Investigation request
- Closure sought on 10 November 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
il tempo trascorso dal disastro ha reso particolarmente complesse le indagini su un fatto di straordinaria gravità
la richiesta di verità non si archivia
All’esito delle ulteriori indagini si è avuta conferma che la petroliera Agip Abruzzo al momento della collisione si trovasse probabilmente in uno specchio di acqua interdetto all’ancoraggio