At least one worker dead and four missing in accident
Rome – A devastating accident at a construction site in Florence, Italy, has claimed the life of at least one worker and left four others missing, according to officials. The incident occurred when a reinforced concrete beam toppled over a slab of a pre-fabricated building, causing its collapse. Rescue teams are currently searching for the missing workers, with concerns that the death toll could rise even further.
Medical teams rushed to the scene and managed to pull three other workers from the rubble. However, they were immediately transported to local hospitals and are currently in critical condition.
The Tuscany region’s president, Eugenio Giani, revealed that approximately 50 workers were present at the construction site at the time of the accident. The supermarket under construction is a part of Italy’s renowned Esselunga chain.
Avoiding a Tragedy
Giani emphasized that the accident could have been far more catastrophic, as a minibus carrying children was passing near the site when the incident occurred. He expressed gratitude that the children and the driver remained unharmed, stating that the tragedy would serve as a powerful reminder to prioritize safety measures.
Witnesses on the scene, including two street cleaners who arrived shortly after the accident, reported hearing the desperate cries of injured workers pleading for help.
National Mourning
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni extended her condolences through a social media post, expressing her deep concern and closely monitoring the situation. She pledged to take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Italy’s three largest unions, CGIL, CISL, and UIL, have jointly called for a “general strike” in Tuscany to demand improved safety measures. In their joint statement, they declared, “No more deaths at work.”