The freight elevator overturns and falls seven floors: three workers dead

Three workers died after falling from a freight elevator at a construction site in Naples.

The three were working on the renovation of a multi-story building on Via San Giacomo dei Capri, in the Arenella neighborhood.

They were in the elevator basket that would have tilted, causing them to fall seven stories into the void.

After the alarm was raised, 118 emergency services, firefighters, and law enforcement responded to the scene. Rescue efforts, however, proved futile.

An investigation has been launched into the incident. An initial hypothesis suggests that the basket may not have supported the excessive weight—the three workers and a roll of bitumen—and, after some components failed, it tipped over, causing the workers to fall.

The incident has sparked widespread mourning and a number of statements, including that of the Bishop of Naples, Domenico Battaglia . "This terrible event," he said, "must not only be a cause for grief, but also for indignation and the courage to say 'enough!'" Because it is unacceptable to die not "at" work, but "of" work. It is unacceptable to leave home in the morning to earn a living and never return. Work cannot become a punishment, a danger, a mortal risk. And let no one call them accidental deaths anymore, because they tarnish our consciences," Battaglia concluded.

(Unioneonline/lf)