Rome's Colosseum Shuts for the Day After Worker Falls to His Death
The Colosseum closed to visitors on Wednesday after a 22-year-old rope-access technician died in a fall while working on a lighting project.
Rome's Colosseum was closed to the public on Wednesday as the archaeological park mourned a young worker who fell to his death inside the monument late the previous day.
The man was identified as Andrea Moretti, 22, who specialised in rope-access work at height. He had been installing cabling for an illumination project that was expected to be completed next month when the fall occurred, the park's press office said.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident, the park said.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed shock at the death. "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the tragic death of Andrea Moretti," she said in a statement, adding: "Dying at the age of 22 is unacceptable — even more so when it happens in the workplace." Meloni said she hoped the cause of the accident would be established as quickly as possible.
According to the park, thousands of visitors had already entered the Colosseum early on Wednesday before the closure took effect. Officials said the site would be formally shut once those visitors had left.