Young worker dies at Scerni winery; truck driver killed in Cagliari port

The accident in Scerni

A young man died early on Thursday, 15 October, at the San Panfilo winery (cantina sociale) in Scerni, in the Chieti province of Abruzzo. Most outlets give his age as 23 and describe him as a university student close to graduating who was probably working the harvest as a seasonal employee. Fanpage gives his age as 21 and reports he was due to finish his bachelor's degree in motor sciences within months. The incident took place around 5.30, according to Adnkronos and La Repubblica, and firefighters, carabinieri and 118 medical staff attended the scene. Nothing could be done to save him, and the mayor of Scerni, Daniele Carlucci, was present at the winery.

Early accounts differ on how it happened. Adnkronos and Il Messaggero say he was cleaning the wine vats when, for causes still being determined, he fell and lost consciousness. ANSA describes him working with a machine, while Rete8, as cited by La Repubblica, reports a possible fall during cleaning. Adnkronos adds that one hypothesis under review is intoxication from carbon dioxide fumes, but the sequence has not been established. Fanpage, citing early information it describes as unverified, says he fell from a height and was struck by a propeller.

Investigation

The prosecutor's office in Vasto has ordered an autopsy and now coordinates the inquiry, according to Fanpage. Carabinieri are questioning colleagues who worked at the company, but they are keeping details under wraps. Investigators have not yet established how the accident happened, and the early information reported by the media still has to be checked. Investigators will need to determine whether the cause was a fall, a machine or the fumes described in some reports.

Community reaction

Fanpage reports that the young man was known in Scerni as a skilled winemaker and that many people sent messages of condolence to his family, starting with the mayor. Francesco Menna, president of the Province of Chieti, told ChietiToday that the institutions were close to the family and colleagues and called for stronger safety measures.

We cannot resign ourselves to losing human lives while people are working.

Cagliari port

In Cagliari, a truck driver died on the same morning after being crushed by heavy pipes in the industrial port area managed by Grendi, according to La Repubblica. ANSA reports the load fell from the semi-trailer of his truck during unloading, and Tgcom24 reports the victim was a truck driver, though his identity had not been released. L'Unione Sarda reports the pipes were destined for Arbatax and that activity stopped at all quays of the industrial harbour. Carabinieri from the Cagliari company and the Spresal workplace prevention service are reconstructing the accident and checking whether port procedures were followed.

Wider picture

On 14 October, two other fatal workplace accidents occurred, one in the Brescia area and one in Potenza, according to La Repubblica. The deaths in Scerni and Cagliari are still under inquiry, and no conclusion on responsibility has been reported.