Colosseum closed until Saturday after worker's death, investigation opened.

The Colosseum Archaeological Park will remain closed to the public until Saturday, September 26, confirm sources from the Ministry of Culture. The decision comes after the death of 22-year-old worker Andrea Moretti, who fell from scaffolding during nighttime work for the renovation of the lighting system.

The magistrates of Piazzale Clodio have opened an investigation for manslaughter, focusing on violations of workplace safety regulations. Investigators are analyzing the documentation related to the contract and the subcontracting company responsible for the work, and will shortly proceed with the first registrations in the register of suspects. The autopsy on the victim's body will be performed on Monday by the forensic doctors of Sapienza University.

Before ordering the reopening, Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli intends to review the direction of the investigation and meet with the park's workers to assess their psychological conditions. The incident occurred on the night between September 22 and 23 during work in preparation for the inauguration scheduled for October.

The tragedy at the Colosseum occurs within the context of the renovation work on the lighting system of the Archaeological Park, a project initiated months ago with an inauguration scheduled for October 2026. These maintenance and improvement interventions are common at Italian historical sites to ensure safety, accessibility, and enhanced tourism, but they involve risks associated with temporary construction sites in delicate environments.

The triggering event was a workplace accident that occurred during the night hours: Andrea Moretti, a 22-year-old specialized worker, was working on scaffolding at a height of about 10 meters when he fell. The precise dynamics are the focus of the investigation, which will have to determine whether it was a human error or deficiencies in safety measures, such as the absence of anti-fall devices or the stability of temporary structures.

The immediate consequences were the closure of the site as a sign of mourning and the suspension of all activities, including a scheduled show. In the long term, the investigation could lead to criminal liability for manslaughter and a general review of safety protocols at cultural heritage construction sites, a sector that combines the protection of historical heritage with worker safety.