Florence paused on Saturday to mourn the victims of Friday’s structural collapse at a supermarket building site, which has claimed the lives of four construction workers and left a fifth still missing and feared dead. Three others are injured.
Mayor Dario Nardella led a minute’s silence at 3pm in Piazza della Signoria, joined by Tuscany Governor Eugenio Giani, political and trade union representatives, and the archbishop of Florence, Cardinal Giuseppe Betori. “It is a tragedy that has struck us deeply,” said Nardella, expressing gratitude to “all the volunteers, the fire brigade, civil protection, and the institutions involved” for their efforts in rescue and recovery.
The four confirmed dead have been identified as Luigi Coclite, 60, from Italy; Mohamed Toukabri, 54, from Tunisia; and Mohamed El Ferhane, 24, and Taoufik Haidar, 45, both from Morocco. Their bodies have been recovered, while rescuers continue to search for the missing worker, Bouzekri Rachimi, aged 56, from Morocco.
The three injured workers, all Romanian nationals aged 37, 48, and 51, are reported to be in stable condition.
Unity and vigilance to prevent further tragedies
Nardella stressed the need for unity and vigilance in preventing further workplace tragedies, stating, “Now, more than ever, we gather around the families of the workers who lost their lives on the Via Mariti construction site, and we commit ourselves to be more united and stronger than ever so that there will be no more victims in the workplace.”
Local buses and trams displayed mourning symbols, while the tramway system paused for a minute during the 3 pm silence. Shops closed for 15 minutes at midday, with employees standing outside to pay their respects.
Contractor Attività Edilizie Pavesi (AEP) expressed profound shock and grief over the incident, stating, “This is a time of silence and grief.” The company pledged full cooperation with authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Prosecutors have initiated a probe into multiple manslaughter. Investigations are also underway regarding allegations of irregular employment status for two of the victims.
Pope Francis conveyed his condolences and called for enhanced labour safety measures in Italy, emphasising the importance of protecting workers. In a telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Betori, the pope expressed “feelings of closeness and condolences to the families of the victims, together with his deepest participation in the grief of the entire city”.
“In this particularly dramatic moment, Pope Francis wishes to renew his appeal for safety in the workplace, hoping for a greater commitment on the part of those responsible for protecting workers,” the telegram continued.
The pope also thanked the rescue workers and sent his apostolic blessing to all as a sign of spiritual closeness”.
New set of measures announced
Labour Minister Marina Calderone announced a new set of measures aimed at improving labour safety, including regulations on undeclared labour and measures to enhance safety in the contracting supply chain.
“There is to be no step backwards on labour safety,” said Calderone in a statement, adding that the government will “move forward with implementation of what has already been adopted since it took office”.
“But more will be done,” she added.
“This is the time to mourn the workers who have lost their lives, to be close to their families and to establish the facts,” she concluded.
“Condolences are no longer enough: urgent and effective measures are needed,” said sources from the centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD), indicating a willingness to collaborate with the government on addressing workplace safety concerns.
Another workplace death
On the same day as the Florence building site collapse, a 54-year-old worker died on a building site in Frascineto, near Cosenza.
Edison Malaj, of Albanian origin, was reportedly working with colleagues in the yard of the former social winery of Frascineto when a slab broke loose and fell on top of him.
Police are investigating.
