Stage Collapse in Italy

rochem

Well-Known Member
Worker Dies in Pausini Concert Stage Collapse - Corriere della Sera

Worker Dies in Pausini Concert Stage Collapse
Two others injured. The three men were erecting the structure for tonight’s concert

REGGIO CALABRIA – Rome-based Matteo Armelini, 32, died and two other workmen suffered minor injuries while they were erecting one of the stage structures for Monday evening’s Laura Pausini concert at the Palacalafiore sports centre in Reggio Calabria. The accident happened at about 2 am on Monday morning.

STRUCTURAL FAILURE – The metal structure over the stage slipped and collapsed, crashing forward onto a tier of seating. The men were securing the aerial lighting at the time and the structure fell squarely onto Mr Armelini, killing him instantly. His two workmates, who escaped with minor injuries, were taken to hospital. The news flashed round social network sites, where parallels were drawn with the death in Trieste of Francesco Pinna. Mr Pinna was killed by a collapsing structure while he was preparing the stage for a Jovanotti concert.

CONCERT – The stage for the Reggio Calabria concert was the middle one of three used by the Faenza-born singer. Even though it is classified as “medium”, it still takes fifteen articulated lorries to transport all the equipment. One side of the stage collapsed without warning, coming to rest on one of the tiers of seating. Experts will now have to decide whether the collapse was caused by the failure of the Palacalafiore’s parquet flooring to bear the weight, by poor structure design or by human error during the erection of the structure. This evening’s concert has been cancelled. The Reggio Calabria public prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry and placed the entire structure under judicial seizure. Firefighters who provided assistance at the scene are seeking to establish the dynamics and causes of the incident. Forensic police scientists have also been called in.
 
The Reggio Calabria public prosecutor’s office has opened an inquiry and placed the entire structure under judicial seizure. Firefighters who provided assistance at the scene are seeking to establish the dynamics and causes of the incident. Forensic police scientists have also been called in.
Interesting the geographical/political differences in seemingly similar cases. I don't recall any criminal charges being contemplated in the Indiana State Fair incident. Or in any other "stage collapse" case (e.g. Aguilera/Timberlake-Atlantic City, AR Rahman-Pontiac MI) for that matter.
 
Last edited:
Interesting the geographical/political differences in seemingly similar cases. I don't recall any criminal charges being contemplated in the Indiana State Fair incident. Or in any other "stage collapse" case (e.g. Aguilera/Timberlake-Atlantic City, AR Rahman-Pontiac MI) for that matter.
Anytime you have an industrial accident resulting in injury or death, the police investigate. Usually if you call for rescue or ambulance it triggers the police and OSHA.
 
Teqniqal has an eerie video over at his blog that really impresses upon you the seriousness of the collapse. The last few seconds of the video show the blood-stained floor where the stagehand was killed, plus some red (previously white) towels clumped in a pile nearby.

On a side note, Erich's site is a bit depressing for me lately. He also has the video of the Avicii accident last week where a floor collapsed and some 20-30 people fell 13 feet through it.

I consider his site and the videos he links to a sobering resource, most of which I've downloaded to my hard drive so ten years from now I have something to point to when someone asks me why they have to be so careful working in permanent and temporary performance spaces.
 
Last edited:
Teqniqal has an eerie video over at his blog that really impresses upon you the seriousness of the collapse. The last few seconds of the video show the blood-stained floor where the stagehand was killed, plus some red (previously white) towels clumped in a pile nearby.

On a side note, Erich's site is a bit depressing for me lately. He also has the video of the Vivicii accident last week where a floor collapsed and some 20-30 people fell 13 feet through it.

I consider his site and the videos he links to a sobering resource, most of which I've downloaded to my hard drive so ten years from now I have something to point to when someone asks me why they have to be so careful working in permanent and temporary performance spaces.

FYI, Teqniqal has a typo on his "About Me" page that leads to a bad link when you try to go to his blog. It looks like the correct address is:

Theatre Safety Blog
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back