A 55-year-old security guard died while on overnight duty at a construction site near a venue for the upcoming Winter Olympics in the Italian mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The incident occurred on Thursday night near Cortina’s ice arena, where the guard was posted during extremely cold conditions. Italian media reported that temperatures in the area dropped to around minus 12 degrees Celsius during the night, raising concerns about worker safety in harsh winter environments.
Investigation ordered
Italy’s Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death. Authorities are expected to examine working conditions at the site, including safety arrangements, shift duration and protection against extreme cold.
Local officials in Cortina d’Ampezzo said they were “deeply saddened and troubled” by the incident and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased worker.
Not an official Olympic site
Simico, the government-owned company responsible for overseeing Olympic infrastructure, clarified that the construction site where the incident occurred was not under its direct supervision. In a statement, the company expressed condolences and said it was cooperating with authorities as required.
Olympics draw closer
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 6 to 22, 2026. Cortina d’Ampezzo will host events including curling, sliding sports and women’s Alpine skiing. Several other events, including most of the opening ceremony, will be held in Milan.
Organisers recently announced that the opening ceremony at the San Siro Stadium will feature performances by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and pop singer Mariah Carey. The ceremony will also include a tribute to late fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
The death has sparked renewed debate in Italy over labour safety, particularly for workers deployed in extreme weather conditions.