Collapse on building site in Florence, Giani: five dead. The Pope: pain, we need more security

According to an initial reconstruction, there was a "major collapse of one of the main pylons" on the construction site; the collapse also affected a prefabricated slab. This was reported by the fire brigade with teams of ordinary and Usar light personnel. Also on the scene were four ambulances and the police force, Benedetta Albanese, and Questore Maurizio Auriemma. In a note, the president of Esselunga, Marina Caprotti, clarified that "the building site under construction was contracted out to a third party company", and made herself "available to the authorities to help clarify the dynamics of what happened and for any need".

"I was sitting in my living room, which overlooks the construction site, when at a certain point I heard a noise and saw that an attic had collapsed, and I saw a cloud of dust rising and some workers running in the direction of the collapse'. This is the account of Miriam, a resident who lives near the building site in Via Mariti in Florence, and who practically saw the collapse live. "It was before nine o'clock,' she added. 'From the window I saw a broken beam where the collapse happened. I didn't know anyone was left under the rubble. Then the ambulances arrived, the fire brigade and everyone else." "Shortly after 8 o'clock I heard a big roar," said another resident. I didn't imagine such a tragedy and I feel sorry for the victims'.

Faced with the workplace tragedy at the Florence construction site, the CGIL, CISL and UIL trade unions of Tuscany have called a regional general strike for the last two hours of the day. "Today's tragedy, so imposing in its dimensions, is only the latest in a long series,' the unions wrote in a statement. 'The problem of safety at work must be considered a priority: it is unacceptable that every day there is talk of deaths and injuries as in a war bulletin; it is unacceptable that those who leave home to go to work never return, that they never see their families and loved ones again. We appeal to institutions, the world of business and politics, and control bodies: no more deaths at work!".

National mobilisation of the CISL against deaths and accidents at work, with assemblies in factories, construction sites, offices and production sites and initiatives in the territories, from North to South. It was announced by the secretary general of the via Po confederation, Luigi Sbarra. "The tragedy in Florence is the umpteenth event of a massacre that must come to an end and that scars the most basic constitutional rights. We must stop the trail of blood and we must do it now,' he says. And 'the government,' he adds, 'must immediately resume talks with the trade unions to build a national strategy together with the employers' associations.

The contractor carrying out the work on the Via Mariti site in Florence is Aep Attività Edilizie Pavesi srl, based in Pieve del Cairo (Pavia). However, according to union sources, the construction of the new Esselunga supermarket is involving more than 30 subcontracting companies. The company commissioning the work is La Villalta spa, Immobiliare di investimento e sviluppo, based in Milan. As can be seen from the sign displayed at the edge of the building site, the technicians involved in the work are numerous professionals, mainly from the Florence area. The direction of the works is by the Gurrieri Associati studio of Florence. The architectural design is by architect Fabio Nonis of Milan.

"In 2023 there were 1,000 deaths at work and often these accidents are produced by the system of subcontracting and the logic of tenders at the highest price. However, I would like to remind you that it was this government that amended the procurement code and reintroduced cascade subcontracting". This was said by the leader of the CGIL, Maurizio Landini, commenting on the work accident in Florence. "It is necessary for there to be an immediate reaction and I also think it is necessary to arrive at a general initiative next week, which I will also propose to the other unions, because it is no longer acceptable to continue dying at work".

"From the investigations being carried out by the competent authorities," the victims of the collapse at the Via Mariti construction site "appear to be workers to whom the metalworkers' contract was applied, but who were not carrying out metalworkers' work but construction work. So, if we were faced with this, we would be faced with the fact that a contract is being used that has a lower cost in order to then ensure that those taking on the subcontract can save money. These are verifications that are in progress'. Thus Daniele Calosi, secretary of the Fiom CGIL of Florence, Prato and Pistoia, speaking to journalists in front of the building site where a collapse involving eight workers occurred this morning. "I believe that this," he added, "is of an unprecedented gravity in a Florence that is too often drowsy with other events, while in the real world people are dying on the job". 'People,' Calosi continued, 'go to work to live not to die. We are faced with a tragedy that could have been avoided and people ended up under the concrete who will not return home today. We, as representatives of the workers in the metalworking sector in the province, have called a four-hour strike to be held today at the end of the work shift or in a different way as the workers will decide. The Nuovo Pignone workers today, for example, went on strike spontaneously as soon as they heard the news. It is not possible,' he concludes, 'that in order to make people talk about the problems of work we have to die of work in this country.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the government, I express my condolences for the victims of the collapse of a beam on a building site in Florence". Thus, on social media, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "I am following the evolution of the situation with apprehension and I thank all those who are taking part in the search for the missing and rescue operations for the injured. Our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this terrible tragedy,' the PM also wrote.

"There has been a dramatic accident, a collapse at the Esselunga construction site in Florence, the number of victims is not even certain. I would like to ask you all to join me in a minute's silence to express our closeness to the families of the victims and our support for those who are taking care of the rescue". This was said by the secretary of the PD Elly Schlein interrupting for a few minutes the meeting underway at the Nazareno with the unions of the agricultural sector. "That of safety at work is a real emergency. Italy cannot be a country where people die at work or stage. Today's tragedy reminds us that the institutions cannot accept this and must make every effort,' he added.

"I have learned of a terrible tragedy taking place in Florence. When there are deaths at work this offends, alarms and creates additional dispositions. To die from an accident at work is a sorrow. If work is so important in providing a future and hope, it should not be the cause of death. Evidently in this case something went wrong. I agree with Landini's words. It is an issue that needs to be addressed and we will do so in every direction, whether this is an issue related to subcontracting, I think it will have to be ascertained and ascertained. In the meantime, we will now wait for the causes to be ascertained and then adapt public decisions to the practical experience'. Thus Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi speaking at the conclusion of the committee for public order and safety in the prefecture in Palermo.

"Pain and dismay at the tragedy at the building site of the new supermarket in #Florence. We are constantly following the situation. I express on behalf of myself and the @comunefi condolences for the victims and thank all the rescuers in action. Awaiting updates on the other workers involved'. This was written on X by Mayor Dario Nardella, who has been on an institutional trip to Israel and Palestine since yesterday. The Florentine mayor then thanked the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella "for having expressed his closeness and condolences for the tragedy at the construction site" on the phone, and confirmed the proclamation of city mourning for tomorrow, 17 February, "with suspension of all events". "On behalf of myself and all of Action, I express my deep condolences for the tragic events in Florence. Thanks to those who are working in these minutes for the rescue. To die at work, in 2024, in Italy, is simply unacceptable'. Thus Carlo Calenda, leader of Azione.

The CISL, on the other hand, speaks of a 'chilling fact', expressing the union's closeness 'to the families of the victims and the injured'. "But condolences and solidarity are not enough," stresses theCisl leader Luigi Sbarra on social media: "While we wait for the judiciary to shed light on the dynamics and responsibilities, one thing is certain: safety in the workplace and safeguarding the lives of workers must be put at the top of the country's priorities. The slaughter must stop. We need a national plan, more checks, controls and inspectors, cross-referenced databases, a social rating for companies, investment in prevention, training and a crackdown on sanctions. Every death at work is a defeat for the whole of Italy'.