A security guard on duty at a construction site near a 2026 Winter Olympic venue in Cortina d’Ampezzo passed away during a cold overnight shift, authorities confirmed over the weekend. Italy’s Infrastructure Minister, Matteo Salvini, has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 55-year-old worker.
Reports from Italian media indicated that the incident occurred on a freezing Thursday night while the worker was stationed at a construction site close to Cortina’s ice arena, with temperatures dropping to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Milan Cortina organizers disclosed that the worker succumbed to a heart attack.
During a press briefing at a trial event held at the new hockey arena in Milan, Andrea Varnier, CEO of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, stated, “The information available suggests that the cause of death was natural, specifically a heart attack. We are conducting an inquiry into the matter.” Varnier further mentioned, “All relevant documentation was in order, and we are awaiting the results of the investigation to determine the exact cause. As per the current information provided by emergency services, the death was due to natural causes while the worker was on site.”
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 6-22. It was clarified that the construction site where the incident occurred was not under the supervision of Simico, the governmental entity responsible for Olympic infrastructure, as stated in a condolence message released by the company.
Local authorities in Cortina expressed profound sorrow and concern over the worker’s passing.