Woman Falls into Unmarked Well in Rome Park, Safety Investigation Launched
Rome, March 29 – A 41-year-old woman, Fabiana Ferrante, sustained a broken foot and other injuries after falling into an unmarked and uncovered well in the recently reopened Parco della Pace (Peace Park) in Rome. The incident, which occurred on Friday afternoon, has triggered an urgent safety investigation and sparked widespread criticism regarding the park’s maintenance and inspection protocols.
The park, located at the foot of the Regional Council building, had been closed for six months for maintenance work, primarily to repair fencing and address frequent intrusions by wild boars. Its unofficial reopening, ahead of the scheduled April 1 date, followed a Regional event on health. However, the park has now been closed again for urgent safety checks following Ferrante’s fall.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Fabiana Ferrante, an emergency room nurse at Bambino Gesù Hospital, was enjoying the sunny afternoon in the park with her children, aged 5 and 8, when she fell into the unlit, 15-meter deep well. Her husband, who was with her, immediately called for help. She was rescued by emergency services and transported to San Camillo Hospital, where she spent the night. Her brother, Luca, stated, “Fortunately, my sister doesn’t have anything serious (a broken foot and some bruises). But I understand her anguish these hours: I also have small children, and what if it had happened to one of them?”
Eyewitnesses, including other parents present in the park, expressed shock and concern. “We were also there with our children, we saw those scared children and we approached to try and comfort them. They were in shock and so are we, it could have happened to anyone,” recounted an anonymous mother.
Questions of Responsibility and Oversight
The management of Parco della Pace falls under the exclusive responsibility of the Regional Council. Antonello Aurigemma, President of the Regional Council, stated that the park’s reopening, intended to return it to the citizens, was coordinated with the XI Municipality. Regarding the accident, the Regional Council immediately notified the competent technical office engineer, who will conduct an inspection of the site this morning with the external company responsible for maintenance work. “We are awaiting the report,” Aurigemma said.
However, Daniela Gentili, Councilor of the XI Municipality, countered, “The exclusive competence belongs to the Regional Council. In light of what has happened, an immediate and thorough verification of the state of the premises is hoped for, as well as the adoption of all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the area and prevent further risks to public safety.”
Unmarked Hazard: A New or Overlooked Feature?
A central point of contention is the presence of the well itself. Many regular park visitors assert that the well was not there before the recent maintenance work. Monica Pollidori, from the Montestallonara Committee, questioned, “The park is always frequented by thousands of people and that well has never been there. How is it possible that it was not marked? Who was responsible for checking that everything was in order?”
Regardless of whether the well is a new feature, a renovated one, or an unfinished project, it should have been covered and clearly marked to prevent such an accident. The lack of proper signage and protection has led to accusations of negligence and inadequate safety inspections.
Calls for Immediate Action and Future Prevention
The incident has ignited a public outcry for immediate and comprehensive safety checks across the park. Local residents and community groups are demanding accountability from the authorities responsible for the park’s upkeep. The closure of the park for further verification underscores the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need to address potential hazards.
The investigation will aim to determine how the well remained uncovered and unmarked, and who is ultimately responsible for the oversight. The outcome of this inquiry will be crucial in restoring public trust and ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future. Meanwhile, Fabiana Ferrante is recovering, but the scare she and her family experienced serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous safety standards in public spaces.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_marzo_29/donna-caduta-nel-pozzo-a-roma-nel-mirino-i-lavori-per-la-riapertura-quel-buco-non-c-e-ma-stato-8d25a4cc-bbd1-46ca-9ae5-9429893cbxlk.shtml
