Tragedy struck the former Ilva plant in Taranto as a worker, Loris Costantino, fell roughly 18 meters from height during maintenance operations. The incident occurred in the agglomeration area while he was cleaning a conveyor belt, reportedly due to the failure of a grid. Costantino, an employee of Gea Power, was immediately transported to the infirmary complaining of chest pain and discomfort throughout his body, but despite initial consciousness, his condition quickly worsened.

After being stabilized, he was rushed to the Santissima Annunziata Hospital in Taranto where he was met with an immediate assessment by emergency medical staff and subsequently succumbed to his injuries. The harrowing incident, now under investigation by unions, sheds light on continuing safety concerns at industrial sites, particularly in light of past incidents. In January, another worker suffered a fatal accident under similar circumstances, emphasizing ongoing risks within the workplace.

The shock of this latest incident has deeply affected fellow employees at the plant, who continue to grapple with the emotional and safety implications of working in such a high-risk environment. Unions are calling for more stringent safety measures and protocols to protect workers, advocating for systemic changes to avert future tragedies, highlighting the urgent need for action in industrial safety regulations.