A guard working at a construction site near the future venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo tragically passed away during an overnight shift, as confirmed by authorities on Saturday. The incident took place amidst unusually low temperatures, which reached 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-12 degrees Celsius) that night.
The deceased, a 55-year-old man, was reportedly overcome by a heart attack while on duty near the site of the town’s ice arena. In light of this heartbreaking event, Italy’s Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini has called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death.
Andrea Varnier, the CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, assured reporters that preliminary information from emergency services indicated that the death was due to natural causes. He emphasized the ongoing investigation to clarify the specific details of the incident.
The construction site in question is not managed by Simico, the public entity tasked with overseeing the infrastructure for the Olympics, which expressed its condolences following the incident. Local officials in Cortina have also expressed their sorrow, stating that they are “deeply saddened and troubled by the death.”
As preparations continue for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics scheduled for February 6-22, the community is reminded of the importance of worker safety and the challenges faced during such large-scale projects. Cortina will be hosting several events, including curling, sliding, and women’s Alpine skiing, making the need for stringent health and safety measures all the more critical.