Milan-Cortina Olympics guard death sparks manslaughter investigation
Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation following the death of a security guard at a construction site for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Pietro Zantonini died during a night shift between 8 and 9 January at the Cortina d’Ampezzo ice rink venue in the Italian Alps.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belluno is investigating potential “manslaughter with possible aggravating circumstances related to environmental and safety conditions”.
While a post-mortem indicated the cause of death was a heart attack, the victim’s family allege that freezing temperatures of -12C contributed to the tragedy.
Questions over working conditions
The 55-year-old was employed by SS Security & Bodyguard to patrol the facility, which is being prepared for the 2026 Games.
Michele Grassi, the security firm’s director, has been named as a suspect in the inquiry, according to reports in Corriere delle Alpi.
It is alleged Zantonini was stationed in a cabin with a small heater but was required to leave the shelter to conduct inspections every two hours.
The guard reportedly informed a colleague he was suffering from breathing difficulties shortly before he collapsed.
Paramedics attended the scene and attempted CPR, but Zantonini could not be saved.
Autopsy findings and family claims
Initial medical examinations attributed the death to an “acute cardiac event” and noted it was “difficult to attribute” the fatality directly to hypothermia.
However, further investigations are scheduled to take place before the end of May to determine if the extreme cold and working environment were contributory factors.
Zantonini’s family claim he had previously expressed concerns regarding long night shifts and inadequate protection against the elements.
“Those factors necessitate a thorough judicial investigation and bring the issue of safety and working conditions on construction sites and in services related to major events back to the forefront, particularly in view of the 2026 Winter Olympics.”
Statement from the Zantonini family
Official response
Organisers have previously pointed to natural causes regarding the incident.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, stated: “The information we have is that it was a death by natural cause, it was a heart attack. And we are investigating.”
Matteo Salvini, Italy’s Infrastructure Minister, has called for a “full and rigorous investigation” into the death.
Local officials in Cortina added that they were “deeply saddened and troubled” by the loss of the worker.