Carabinieri paramilitary police stand on patrol outside the Colosseum, closed to the public for the day to mourn a worker who fell to his death late Tuesday when installing cabling inside the ancient amphitheater, in Rome, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)
Republished September 23, 2026 - 3:14 AM
Original Publication Date September 23, 2026 - 2:31 AM
ROME (AP) — Rome's Colosseum was closed to the public on Wednesday to mourn a worker who fell to his death late Tuesday, according to a statement from the archaeological park’s press office.
The 22-year-old man, Andrea Moretti, specialized in working at altitude on ropes. He had been installing cabling for an illumination project expected to complete next month when he fell and died inside the Colosseum, according to the park's press office.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the tragic death of Andrea Moretti,” Italy’s Premier Giorgia Meloni said in a statement. She continued: “Dying at the age of 22 is unacceptable — even more so when it happens in the workplace.”
Meloni said she hopes the accident's cause is clarified as quickly as possible. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances of the incident, the park's statement said.
The park said thousands of visitors had entered the Colosseum early Wednesday before the closure could be implemented. It said the site will be closed officially after all those visitors leave.
News from © The Associated Press, 2026