Building collapse in Florence: 5 workers were killed and three were injured

A building collapsed in Florence, Tuscany, on Friday 16^th of February, at approximately 9 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), according to local authorities. The collapse caused the death of five workers and the injury of three others.

The team of workers was assembling prefabricated concrete structures for a new Esselunga supermarket on Friday when a reinforced concrete beam collapsed over a layer of slabs, resulting in the trapping of eight men. Initial evaluations suggested that the accident occurred due to a "structural collapse" of the concrete beam, potentially stemming from misplacement or defects.

Florence prosecutors have initiated an investigation into the collapse, considering charges of negligence and multiple manslaughter, although no suspects have been identified at this stage. On Friday, Esselunga president Marina Caprotti announced that they will cooperate with the investigation while she mentioned that the construction work for the new store was outsourced to a third party.