A security guard working at a construction site near a venue for the 2026 Winter Olympics in the mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo passed away during a cold overnight shift, as confirmed by authorities 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 frigid Thursday night while the worker was on duty at a construction site near Cortina’s ice arena, with temperatures dropping to minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Organizers for the Milan Cortina event stated that the worker succumbed to a heart attack.
During a press briefing at a trial event at the new hockey arena in Milan, Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, shared, “Our current information suggests that the cause of death was natural, specifically a heart attack. We are conducting an investigation.” Varnier also mentioned that all necessary documentation was in order, and they are awaiting the investigation results to determine the exact cause. The emergency services reported it as a death due to natural causes on-site.
The upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to take place from February 6 to 22. Simico, the governmental entity overseeing Olympic infrastructure, clarified that the construction site where the incident occurred was not under their supervision, expressing condolences in a statement. City officials in Cortina conveyed their deep sorrow and concern over the tragic loss.