Vomero tragedy: Prosecutor's Office seeks to determine responsibilities

The Naples Public Prosecutor's Office, led by Prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, has opened an investigation and ordered an immediate inspection following the serious workplace accident that occurred this morning shortly after 9:30 a.m. in Vomero.

Three workers died after falling from a elevator while they were busy with maintenance on the roof of a six-story building, between via Domenico Fontana and via San Giacomo dei Capri.

The State Police, the Forensic Police, the Fire Department, and the Labor Inspectorate responded to the scene. Coordinating the investigation, for the Labor and Professional Negligence Section, are Deputy Prosecutor Antonio Ricci and Deputy Prosecutor Stella Castaldo.

Initial investigations are focusing on the structural failure of the freight elevator, currently believed to be the main cause of the tragedy.

The elevator collapsed: three workers fell 20 meters

The three workers, employees of a specialized company, were working on a lift platform to re-roof the building. According to initial investigations, one of the two support columns of the lift failed, causing the platform to overturn. The three fell from a height of approximately 20 meters, dying instantly. Emergency personnel, who arrived on the scene along with law enforcement, could only confirm the death.

The testimony: "A hellish roar, then the screams"

"We heard a terrible roar. The woman upstairs was screaming and crying. We ran to the balcony and saw what happened." This is according to Ciro Caiazzo, a resident of the building where the tragedy occurred.

"They had been working for about ten days," he says. "It was condominium maintenance work, they were re-roofing the terrace." Caiazzo had run into them several times at the bar, where they had breakfast in the morning. "From what I understand, they were all Neapolitan, one was under 50. It's an absurd tragedy, we hope it gets resolved soon."

Mayor Manfredi: "A day of sorrow, we need more security."

"It's a day of sorrow. Three workers have lost their lives in a senseless accident. I express my condolences, and those of all Naples, to their families." Mayor Gaetano Manfredi added: "We cannot resign ourselves to workplace deaths. We need more controls, more safety, and more training. We will do everything necessary."

Investigations underway: search for responsibility

Authorities are investigating whether there was any negligence in the maintenance of the vehicle or procedural errors in the construction site organization. Meanwhile, the city is rallying around the families of the victims, awaiting answers in another tragedy that is reigniting the debate on construction site safety.