A security guard working at a construction site for the upcoming Winter Olympics has died during a bitterly cold overnight shift in the Italian Alps, casting a shadow over preparations for the 2026 Games.
Fatal Incident Amid Sub-Zero Temperatures
Authorities confirmed on Saturday that a 55-year-old construction site guard passed away on Thursday night. The tragedy occurred at a site adjacent to the ice arena in the prestigious resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, a key venue for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Italian media reported that temperatures had plunged to a severe minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4°F) during the worker's shift. Organisers for the Milan Cortina Games stated that preliminary information indicated the worker suffered a fatal heart attack.
Official Response and Investigation Launched
The death has prompted a swift political response, with Italy’s Infrastructure Minister, Matteo Salvini, demanding a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, addressed reporters at a test event in Milan. "The information we have is that it was a death by natural cause, it was a heart attack. And we are investigating," Varnier stated. He added that all documentation for the site was in order but emphasised they are awaiting the investigation's findings to understand the specific cause.
In separate statements, both Simico—the governmental company responsible for Olympic infrastructure—and Cortina city officials expressed their profound condolences. The city officials said they were "deeply saddened and troubled by the death." Simico clarified that the particular construction site was not under its direct oversight.
Broader Context of Severe Winter Weather
The incident took place against a backdrop of extreme winter conditions affecting large parts of Europe. In the preceding week, heavy snowfall, high winds, and icy roads have caused significant travel disruption across the continent.
In Germany, rail operator Deutsche Bahn cancelled all services in the north of the country on Friday due to heavy snow, with delays and cancellations persisting into Sunday. The Baltic states of Estonia and Lithuania advised drivers to postpone non-essential travel due to expected blizzards, while neighbouring Latvia issued a snow alert for its western regions.
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled to run from 6 to 22 February 2026. Cortina d'Ampezzo is set to host the curling, sliding events, and women's Alpine skiing competitions.
