Security Guard Dies from Cold at Milan Cortina Construction Site
Milan, January 11 – Pietro Zantonini, a 55-year-old security guard, died in the early hours of January 8 at a construction site near Cortina d’Ampezzo, where he was working on a project related to the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. He was found in a heated cabin, with temperatures dropping below minus ten degrees Celsius. The incident has prompted an investigation and sparked renewed debate on worker safety in large-scale projects.
Tragic Discovery and Family’s Plea for Justice
Zantonini, who had moved from Brindisi in September for the temporary contract, was on a night shift when he reportedly called colleagues to report feeling unwell. Emergency services were alerted shortly before 2:00 AM, but despite their efforts, he could not be resuscitated. A medical examination indicated a sudden illness as the cause of death.
His wife, who traveled from Puglia, has filed a complaint with the Carabinieri, and public prosecutor Claudio Fabris has ordered an autopsy and the seizure of the body. The family, assisted by lawyer Francesco Dragone, stated, “We want full clarity on what happened and ensure that no death at work is treated as a private or inevitable event.” They highlighted that Zantonini had previously expressed concerns about his working conditions, including long night shifts and inadequate protection against the cold.
Concerns Over Working Conditions and Olympic Preparations
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics, just 27 days before the start of the Games. Simico, the infrastructure company for Milan Cortina, extended its deepest condolences but clarified that the construction site in question was not under its direct jurisdiction. They stated, “Like everyone, we await the competent authorities to carry out the necessary investigations.”
Minister of Infrastructure Matteo Salvini expressed his profound sorrow and requested detailed information regarding Zantonini’s contract and duties. He reiterated that “workplace safety is a priority, to be preferred over all other aspects, including the acceleration of certain works.” Alberto Lorenzi, the mayor of Cortina, also expressed his human distress over the loss.
Union Calls for Improved Safety Standards
The incident has drawn strong reactions from trade unions. Alberto Stefani, President of Veneto, emphasized that “workplace safety cannot be an option,” calling the recent string of worker deaths in the region “unacceptable.” The Belluno branch of CGIL criticized the constant operation of these construction sites, stating, “Over the past few years, we have seen these sites open 24/7 and carried out in all weather conditions.” They highlighted the private security sector, where workers often face critical conditions and exhausting shifts.
Roberto Toigo, regional secretary of UIL, stated it would be “extremely serious” if Zantonini “paid with his death for his sense of duty.” Francesco Orrù, secretary of CISL Belluno, added that it would be “dramatic” if the death was due to “the low temperatures in Cortina in recent days and he was not guaranteed safety.”
The investigation aims to determine whether the working conditions, particularly the extreme cold and the nature of the night shifts, contributed to Zantonini’s death. The outcome of the autopsy and the ongoing investigation will be crucial in addressing the broader issues of worker safety in the context of major public works.
