Worker, 22, dies after 10 metre fall during overnight works at the Colosseum

Rome — The Colosseum and surrounding Archaeological Park remains closed after 22 year old specialist rope access worker, named as Andrea Moretti, died after falling around 10 metres while installing a new lighting system at the Colosseum, prompting a criminal investigation and the closure of Italy's most visited monument.

Moretti fell shortly after midnight while carrying out high altitude work inside the ancient amphitheatre. Despite prolonged resuscitation attempts by emergency medical teams from Ares 118, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation for alleged manslaughter through negligence and ordered an autopsy. According to the first findings, investigators believe Moretti was wearing a safety harness but was not attached to a lifeline when he fell. Carabinieri officers, forensic specialists, labour inspectors and workplace safety officials all attended the site.

Initially, the Archaeological Park had closed only the second tier where the accident occurred, an area not placed under judicial seizure. Following criticism and the intervention of Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, the entire Colosseum was later closed as a “sign of mourning and solidarity with all the family of Andrea Moretti and all PArCo employees.” All maintenance work remains postponed until further notice. 

The initial partial opening sparked anger from the CGIL trade union, whose Rome and Lazio secretary Natale Di Cola called it “a disgrace,” arguing that “humanity comes before tourists.” The union organised a candlelight vigil outside the Colosseum overlooking the Imperial Forums.

Giuli, who remained at the monument throughout the night alongside investigators and Moretti's family, said he had “complete confidence” in the judicial inquiry and insisted the ministry had acted swiftly to ensure a controlled closure of the archaeological park.

Moretti came from Tottea, a hamlet in the Abruzzo municipality of Crognaleto in Teramo province. Although only 22, he was regarded as a highly skilled rope access technician, following in the footsteps of his father, who had worked in the same profession before becoming disabled after a workplace accident decades earlier.

Crognaleto's mayor, Orlando Persia, described him as “a cheerful young man who loved life, his homeland, his friends and his horses,” announcing that the town will observe civic mourning on the day of his funeral.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her condolences to Moretti's family and colleagues, calling the death “unacceptable,” particularly because it occurred at work, and pledged continued efforts to prevent similar tragedies.

In a further sign of mourning, the Ministry of Tourism postponed the United Nations World Tourism Day celebrations that had been scheduled to take place at the Temple of Venus beside the Colosseum on 27 September.

 The closure of the Colosseum, however, has drawn criticism from some tourists. An interview by Reuters with an unidentified American tourist went viral, with the tourist saying, “it’s ridiculous” that the Colosseum was closed “just to mourn someone,” before adding “thank you minister for ruining my holiday.” This has been criticised by many as a lack of empathy.

 More strikingly, the main criticism of the public is that the Italian government cannot prevent work deaths taking place, even at the iconic national symbol that is the Colosseum. Work deaths in Italy are a big problem, with 1189 work related deaths in 2025, according to Inail, the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work.

 While President Sergio Mattarella has previously condemned work deaths in Italy as a “plague” and several laws have been passed in recent years, including the employer now being assumed liable for workplace accidents, it is still a massive issue in the country and developments have been slow to take hold.

 Antonio Di Franco, the leader of the CGIL’s construction workers’ union Filea, speaking at the second “The Republic of Victims of Work” event in Quinti di Treviso, declared that “it is clear the government’s approach to safety is falling apart at the seams.” He stressed that “the government must initiate serious discussions […] we need inspections, inspectors and significant investments.”

PS-KHG