Benetton family calls for 5-Star to stop 'hate campaign' - letter

FILE PHOTO: Firefighters and rescue workers stand at the site of a collapsed Morandi Bridge in the port city of Genoa, Italy August 15, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's Benetton family, in a letter to media, said it had played no role in running a motorway bridge that collapsed last year killing 43 people, and asked politicians such as 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio to halt their "hate campaign."

The Benettons are the biggest investor in infrastructure group Atlantia, owner of Autostrade per l'Italia which operates the motorway in Genoa where the viaduct gave way.