Shock at the Colosseum: Tragic Incident Shuts Down Iconic Landmark
The Colosseum was closed to the public on Wednesday, officials said.
September 23, 2026, 5:57 AM
LONDON -- A technician working on a rope inside Rome's Colosseum fell to their death on Tuesday night, officials said.
Italy's Ministry of Culture named the technician as Andrea Moretti, describing them as "a skilled high-altitude rope access worker."
Moretti died inside the ancient amphitheater following "a workplace accident," officials said on social media on Wednesday morning.
Tourists gather outside the Colosseum, closed to the public for the day to mourn a worker who fell to their death late Tuesday inside the ancient amphitheater, in Rome, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP
ANSA, the semi-official newswire, said the 22-year-old had been installing a new lighting system when they fell about 10 meters, or about 32 feet.
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The Colosseum was closed to the public on Wednesday, officials said.
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
"A tragic event that leaves us shocked and devastated," Alessandro Giuli, the minister of culture, said in a statement. "The few words we can find are for Andrea, his family, and his loved ones: we offer our deepest, heartfelt condolences to all for the senseless death of a young man dedicated to his work."
ABC News' Phoebe Natanson and Clark Bentson contributed to this report.
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