Italy’s Colosseum closes after worker dies in accident

The incident comes less ‌than a year ‌after the death of a worker trapped under the rubble of a collapsed medieval tower near the Colosseum

Italy’s Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli ordered the one-day closure of the Colosseum on Wednesday as a mark of respect after a worker was ‌killed overnight in an accident.

Andrea Moretti, a 22-year-old technician, died after falling several metres while installing a new lighting system inside the ancient Roman arena.

Built 2,000 years ago, the Colosseum was the biggest amphitheatre in the ⁠Roman Empire, used to host gladiator fights, executions and animal hunts. ‌It is Italy’s most visited tourist attraction.

“The news of the tragic death of Andrea Moretti, ‌a skilled worker who died overnight … has deeply shocked ⁠and ⁠saddened us,” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.