Olbia shipyard fire case heads to trial

Three individuals are facing trial following a massive fire at the Nautica Acqua shipyard in Olbia, Italy, which occurred on April 22, 2025. The blaze destroyed warehouses and approximately forty luxury yachts and motorboats, with total damages estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros.

The Tempio Prosecutor’s Office has requested a trial for Stefano Gaias, administrator of Nautica Acqua, along with Federico Azara and Oberdan Chimenti, representatives of the yacht manufacturer Maori. The charges involve negligent arson, stemming from the alleged failure to observe fire safety regulations and standards.

While Maori is involved because the fire reportedly originated from one of its yachts, prosecution consultants have excluded manufacturing defects as a cause. High-profile victims include Mikasa Luxury Management, Dolphin 05 Malta Ltd, FIGC commissioner Giovanni Malagò, and Tommaso Cavalli. Although damages are substantial, the Civil Court of Tempio has currently rejected initial compensation claims.