Tragic accident occurred overnight, resulting in partial closure of landmark on Wednesday.A specialist rope-access worker has died following an accident at the Colosseum, prompting Italy's culture ministry and the monument's management to close part of the ancient amphitheatre to the public.Andrea Moretti, a technician specialised in high-altitude rope work, died overnight after an incident during his shift, the Italian culture ministry and the Colosseum Archaeological Park (PArCo) said in a joint statement on Wednesday morning. As a mark of mourning, the Colosseum management has closed the second-tier sector where the accident occurred to visitors on Wednesday. The area has not however been placed under judicial seizure, the statement said, with authorities now working to establish exactly how the accident happened. According to La Repubblica newspaper, the 22-year-old Moretti died after falling from a height of around 10 metres inside the Colosseum. Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli described the death as "a tragic event that leaves us shocked and stunned", offering condolences to Moretti's family and loved ones "in the face of the senseless death of a young man engaged in his work". The rest of the Colosseum complex remains open to the public on Wednesday.

A specialist rope-access worker has died following an accident at the Colosseum, prompting Italy's culture ministry and the monument's management to close part of the ancient amphitheatre to the public. Andrea Moretti, a technician specialised in high-altitude rope work, died overnight after an incident during his shift, the Italian culture ministry and the Colosseum Archaeological Park (PArCo) said in a joint statement on Wednesday morning. As a mark of mourning, the Colosseum management has closed the second-tier sector where the accident occurred to visitors on Wednesday. The area has not however been placed under judicial seizure, the statement said, with authorities now working to establish exactly how the accident happened. According to La Repubblica newspaper, the 22-year-old Moretti died after falling from a height of around 10 metres inside the Colosseum. Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli described the death as "a tragic event that leaves us shocked and stunned", offering condolences to Moretti's family and loved ones "in the face of the senseless death of a young man engaged in his work". The rest of the Colosseum complex remains open to the public on Wednesday.