Tourism23 September, 20262 min read
Colosseum Closes After Technician Andrea Moretti Falls 10 Meters, Italy’s Culture Ministry Says
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Andrea Moretti, 22, rope-access technician, died after a ~10-meter fall during Colosseum lighting work. Colosseum closed for the day as mourning; Culture Ministry ordered the closure.
Worker dies, Colosseum closes
Rome’s Colosseum closed to the public on Wednesday after a technician working on a rope inside the amphitheater fell to their death on Tuesday night, officials said. Italy’s Ministry of Culture named the technician as Andrea Moretti and described him as "a skilled high-altitude rope access worker."
“The Colosseum was closed to the public on Wednesday, officials said.”
ANSA reported that the 22-year-old was installing a new lighting system when he fell about 10 meters, or about 32 feet. Alessandro Giuli, Italy’s minister of culture, said in a statement, "A tragic event that leaves us shocked and devastated," as the Colosseum remained closed for the day.
Prosecutors, safety questions
The Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office proceeded with involuntary manslaughter in relation to Andrea Moretti’s death, and Deputy Prosecutor Antonino Di Maio coordinated the case against unknown persons. Carabinieri investigated the incident by collecting documents and reviewing footage from internal cameras, while an autopsy was ordered and the body was taken to the Sapienza Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Investigators focused on why Moretti’s harness was not hooked to the rope, including whether it detached accidentally or had not been properly connected. Giorgia Meloni said, "Dying at 22 is unacceptable, and even more so if it happens in the workplace," as the Culture Ministry said the site would be closed after the first group of visitors left.
Tourism impact and next steps
The Colosseum Archaeological Park ordered the closure of the Flavian Amphitheatre as a sign of mourning for Andrea Moretti’s death, and the decision was implemented after the first visiting shift had already entered. The ministry said an immediate closure of the access points would have caused a large crowd of visitors outside the monument, potentially impacting safety and public order.
The Colosseum Park ordered the closure for the day and the suspension of all ongoing works until new instructions, while tourists who had bought tickets were informed about the access changes. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said the worker’s death was "a pain for all of Rome" and added, "We cannot accept that people continue to die at work," as investigators worked to determine responsibilities.