Guard at Winter Olympics construction site dies in sub-freezing temperatures

A guard at the construction site of the 2026 Winter Olympics venue in the mountain resort of Cortina died during a freezing night, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

Italian Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the 55-year-old worker’s death.

Italian media reported that the death occurred on January 8, while the worker was on duty at a construction site outside the Cortina ice rink. On the night of the death, temperatures plunged to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are scheduled for February 6-22.

The construction site was not supervised by Simico, the government company responsible for Olympic infrastructure, the company said in a statement expressing its condolences.

Cortina city officials said they were “deeply saddened and disturbed by this death.”

Cortina will host curling, sliding and women’s alpine skiing.