Tragic news from the Winter Olympics in Italy. A security guard named Pietro Zantonini sadly lost his life while on duty at a construction site near the Cortina Olympic Stadium. His passing, on January 8th, was caused by a heart attack due to bitter cold temperatures, sinking to -12°C. Pietro’s unfortunate death has prompted an investigation by Italian authorities into the working conditions he endured.
Starting a gruelling 12-hour shift at 7pm on January 7th, Pietro had expressed concerns about his working conditions before starting his patrol at 2am, where he felt unwell. Despite having a small heater in his cabin, he reported difficulty breathing. Tragically, he stopped breathing before paramedics could arrive.
In the aftermath, his family has taken action by filing a complaint, emphasising concerns over the long night shifts and inadequate protections offered to Pietro. Their lawyer highlighted that his death shines a light on the ongoing conversation about safety and working conditions on sites related to major events like the Winter Olympics.
The Belluno prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into any potentially unsafe work conditions that might have contributed to his untimely death. As investigations proceed, the government agency in charge of Olympics infrastructure, Simico, clarified they did not oversee this particular site.
Italian infrastructure minister Matteo Salvini expressed his sorrow and insisted on detailed information regarding the incident, underscoring the importance of workplace safety. Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics wrapped up with Norway leading the medal tally, while Great Britain celebrated their best ever performance.