Tragedy sparks debate in Italy about working conditions in cultural sector.A 56-year-old Italian tour guide died in Rome's Colosseum on Tuesday after collapsing while taking a group of tourists around the ancient amphitheatre.The woman, an experienced guide named as Giovanna Maria Giammarino, fell ill suddenly during a tour of the first tier of the monument in the late afternoon. Despite receiving immediate assistance from onlookers and Colosseum staff, by the the time paramedics arrived it was already too late. "Two tourists were the first to help her," said Isabella Ruggiero, president of AGTA, the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides. "They attempted to revive her by performing CPR. Meanwhile, staff from the Colosseum Archaeological Park arrived with a defibrillator, but unfortunately there was nothing they could do; Giovanna never regained consciousness. When the ambulance arrived, she was sadly already deceased." Condolences In a statement, the management of the Roman site expressed its "deepest condolences for the tragic passing of Giovanna Maria Giomarino, and joins in the mourning of her family and all who had the opportunity to know her and appreciate her professional dedication." Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli offered his condolences, stating: "This loss powerfully underscores the human and professional value of those who, every day, contribute to the safeguarding and preservation of our historical and artistic heritage." The minister announced that the lights of the Colosseum would be switched off on Wednesday night "as a sign of our sympathy and mourning". Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri also offered his condolences, as did tourism minister Daniela Santanché who stated: "My thoughts go out to all those who, like Giovanna, dedicate their lives to enhancing our cultural heritage. It is our duty to pay tribute to their commitment by ensuring a work environment that respects their dedication and sacrifice." Debate The tragedy has also sparked a debate about working conditions in the cultural sector, with the Rome and Lazio branches of the CGIL, Filcams, and Fp Cgil trade unions criticising the failure to close the monument as a sign of mourning.  "While awaiting clarification on the causes of death, starting with workload and temperatures, we express our deepest condolences for the passing of Giovanna Maria and our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones," the unions wrote in a joint statement.  "A name that adds to the all-too-long list of people who have lost their lives at work and which makes us responsible for keeping the spotlight on working conditions in the cultural world, which must necessarily change and improve." "In this tragedy, we regret to note that, once again, when a person dies at work, work activities are not suspended. We therefore condemn the decision to reopen the monument despite the tragic event. It's true that guided tours are booked by the public well in advance, but feelings of condolence should have prevailed over any event or initiative." Opening hours In a lengthy post on social media, AGTA president Isabella Ruggiero said her colleague's death dramatically highlighted "the physical exertion to which the body is subjected during the work of a guide.” Demanding greater protection for the tour guide sector, Ruggiero accused the culture ministry of "ignoring and dismissing" their calls over the years. She also repeated calls for the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, to open at 07.00 instead of 08.30 during the hot summer months. “It is useless to talk every year about a 'heat emergency’ as if this were something new: climate change is a fact of life and already for some years working at the Roman Forum from 10.00 to 16.30 is unbearable." Photo credit: Octavian Lazar / Shutterstock.com.

A 56-year-old Italian tour guide died in Rome's Colosseum on Tuesday after collapsing while taking a group of tourists around the ancient amphitheatre. The woman, an experienced guide named as Giovanna Maria Giammarino, fell ill suddenly during a tour of the first tier of the monument in the late afternoon. Despite receiving immediate assistance from onlookers and Colosseum staff, by the the time paramedics arrived it was already too late. "Two tourists were the first to help her," said Isabella Ruggiero, president of AGTA, the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides. "They attempted to revive her by performing CPR. Meanwhile, staff from the Colosseum Archaeological Park arrived with a defibrillator, but unfortunately there was nothing they could do; Giovanna never regained consciousness. When the ambulance arrived, she was sadly already deceased." Condolences In a , the management of the Roman site expressed its "deepest condolences for the tragic passing of Giovanna Maria Giomarino, and joins in the mourning of her family and all who had the opportunity to know her and appreciate her professional dedication." Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli offered his condolences, : "This loss powerfully underscores the human and professional value of those who, every day, contribute to the safeguarding and preservation of our historical and artistic heritage." The minister announced that the lights of the Colosseum would be switched off on Wednesday night "as a sign of our sympathy and mourning". Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri also offered his , as did tourism minister Daniela Santanché who : "My thoughts go out to all those who, like Giovanna, dedicate their lives to enhancing our cultural heritage. It is our duty to pay tribute to their commitment by ensuring a work environment that respects their dedication and sacrifice." Debate The tragedy has also sparked a debate about working conditions in the cultural sector, with the Rome and Lazio branches of the CGIL, Filcams, and Fp Cgil trade unions criticising the failure to close the monument as a sign of mourning.  "While awaiting clarification on the causes of death, starting with workload and temperatures, we express our deepest condolences for the passing of Giovanna Maria and our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones," the unions wrote in .  "A name that adds to the all-too-long list of people who have lost their lives at work and which makes us responsible for keeping the spotlight on working conditions in the cultural world, which must necessarily change and improve." "In this tragedy, we regret to note that, once again, when a person dies at work, work activities are not suspended. We therefore condemn the decision to reopen the monument despite the tragic event. It's true that guided tours are booked by the public well in advance, but feelings of condolence should have prevailed over any event or initiative." Opening hours In a lengthy post on social media, AGTA president Isabella Ruggiero said her colleague's death dramatically highlighted "the physical exertion to which the body is subjected during the work of a guide.” Demanding greater protection for the tour guide sector, Ruggiero accused the culture ministry of "ignoring and dismissing" their calls over the years. She also repeated calls for the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, to open at 07.00 instead of 08.30 during the hot summer months. Photo credit: Octavian Lazar / Shutterstock.com.