A security guard has frozen to death near a Winter Olympics stadium just four weeks before the games are set to begin.
Pietro Zantonini, 55, suffered a heart attack in -12C weather while working on a night shift.
The Italian was working on a 12-hour shift at a construction site in the Alps for a private security contractor on Thursday night, according to local media.
The tragedy occurred at the Alpine resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, near where the games will take place.
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The shift involved Zantonini leaving a heated cabin to conduct regular searches of the construction site.
As the temperatures plunged deep into the negatives, the worker is thought to have told colleagues he was feeling unwell before heading out for his fatal 2am walk.
Emergency services attended the scene where Xantonini was pronounced dead at the scene.
Reports say the Italian died shortly after heading outside.
The tragedy occurred at the Alpine resort town of Cortina d’Ampezzo
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Andrea Varnier, CEO of the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, said: “The information we have is that it was a death by natural cause, it was a heart attack."
He confirmed an investigation was underway.
Italy’s Infrastructure Minister, Matteo Salvini, urged for a "full and rigorous investigation" into the death.
He said protecting Italy's workers, including those in construction, is a top priority ahead of the opening ceremony.
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The 55-year-old suffered a heart attack in -12C weather while working on a night shift
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Cortina city officials added they were "deeply saddened and troubled by the death".
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a host city for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, scheduled to run from February 6 to 22.
It also previously hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics.
Cortina will host snow and sliding events, including alpine skiing, curling, biathlon, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton events.
The tragedy comes as fears have already mounted over the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
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The Olympic torch is currently touring Italy and will arrive in Cortina on January 26, 2026, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Games.
The tragedy comes as fears have already mounted over the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which is set to seat 16,000 spectators and might not be ready on time.
In November, Olympic bosses admitted that there is "no Plan B".
The Milan Cortina 2026 Games will mark the return of hockey after a 12-year absence at the Olympics.
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