Winter Olympics construction site guard dies in freezing temperatures

A guard at the construction site for 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 death occurred less than a month before the opening of the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, February 6-22.

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

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