Winter Olympics safety guard ‘froze to dying’ in -12C temperatures as probe launched
A manslaughter investigation has been launched following the death of a Winter Olympics worker. Security guard Pietro Zantonini, 55, died during the night of January 8-9 – a month before the start of the Games in Milan-Cortina – while on patrol at the construction site of the Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic ice rink in the Italian Alps.
The venues for the next two Winter Olympic Games have been decided(Image: Getty Images)
A manslaughter probe has been initiated following the death of a Winter Olympics worker. Security guard Pietro Zantonini, 55, passed away during the night of January 8-9 – a month prior to the commencement of the Games in Milan-Cortina – whilst on duty at the construction site of the Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic ice rink in the Italian Alps.
An autopsy has suggested that the cause of death was a heart attack. However, his family have alleged that the working conditions, which included temperatures of -12°C on the night he died, led to him freezing to death.
The family stated that Zantonini had frequently voiced concerns and complaints about the working conditions, lengthy night shifts and insufficient protection. These factors, according to the family, “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.”
The Public Prosecutor’s Office for the province of Belluno has commenced an investigation into “manslaughter with possible aggravating circumstances related to environmental and safety conditions.”
It was reported that Zantonini, who was employed by SS Security and Bodyguard, was positioned in a hut adjacent to the location but was obliged to carry out checks every two hours. He supposedly had a small radiator to keep him warm in the hut, where he spent most of his shift, but told a colleague that he was experiencing difficulty breathing before embarking on patrol, reports the Mirror.
Emergency services arrived at the scene and administered CPR but he could not be rescued. The firm is being investigated, whilst its director, Michele Grassi, has been identified as the primary suspect, according to Corriere delle Alpi.
The post-mortem, carried out on behalf of the Prosecutor’s Office as part of the inquiry, attributed his death to an “acute cardiac event” and stated it was “difficult to attribute” to hypothermia.
However, Italian media reports that additional investigations will occur before the end of May to establish whether there is a connection between working conditions and Zantonini’s death, which for now has been attributed to natural causes.
At the time, Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, said: “The information we have is that it was a death by natural cause, it was a heart attack. And we are investigating.”
Italy’s Infrastructure Minister, Matteo Salvini, demanded a “full and rigorous investigation” into Zantonini’s death, declaring that Italy must prioritise the safety of workers above all else. Cortina officials said they were “deeply saddened and troubled by the death.”
The resort town staged curling, sliding sports and Alpine skiing during the Games, which finished on February 22.
