The tragic accident occurred overnight when Moretti fell several metres from a scaffold inside the 2,000‑year‑old amphitheatre, which is the country’s most visited tourist attraction.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli announced the one‑day shutdown and also suspended all construction and maintenance work at the monument until further notice, citing safety concerns.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her shock and sadness at the loss, saying the death of a skilled worker had deeply affected the nation.
The decision initially called for only a partial closure, but the country’s largest union, the CGIL, protested, demanding a full explanation of the circumstances surrounding the accident. "Humanity comes before tourists," said CGIL Rome chief Natale di Cola.
The incident follows a similar tragedy less than a year ago, when a Romanian worker was trapped and later died under the rubble of a partially collapsed medieval tower near the Colosseum in November.
Authorities have not released details about the investigation, but the suspension of work is expected to delay the ongoing lighting upgrade and other restoration projects at the historic site.