L’Aquila: two workers killed at a building site in Fontecchio

Two workers have died and a third has been pulled alive from the rubble following a collapse at a house undergoing renovation in the hamlet of San Pio di Fontecchio, in the province of L’Aquila. The incident took place in the afternoon at the Palazzo Paolini building site, which is undergoing post-earthquake reconstruction work following the 2009 earthquake. Firefighters, the Carabinieri and paramedics from the 118 emergency service attended the scene to carry out rescue operations.

The mayor of Fontecchio, Andrea Italo Di Biase, reconstructs the early stages of the incident, reporting: ‘They were working in this historic building in the hamlet of Fontecchio. The workers had installed straps and tie-rods. They had been cleaning up and securing the exterior for about ten days, before gradually moving inside the building>.” Then came the collapse today: “A wall facing the road collapsed, just like that, out of the blue. For years this building has been awaiting renovation, yet nothing has happened. The contractor, based in L’Aquila, had six workers, who were outside on the road.”

Three workers were directly involved in the collapse: two have died. “It is a tragedy for everyone – for those who were there and lost their lives, and for the whole community,” the mayor added. The exact sequence of events leading to the collapse and the causes behind it remain to be clarified. Investigations are ongoing. The building has been placed under seizure.