Overview

• Giovanna Maria Giammarino, 56, collapsed at about 6pm while leading a tour at the Colosseum and died despite CPR by visitors and use of a defibrillator by staff.
• Reports describe the death as a suspected heart attack during roughly 31C conditions, with recent warnings that extreme heat is becoming routine for guides.
• Guide groups including AGTA, Federagit and ANGT call for summer schedules that start earlier to avoid peak heat, citing proposals such as 7am–8.15pm for the archaeological area or an 8am opening.
• The Colosseum turned off its lights in mourning and authorities and ministers offered condolences, while unions criticized the decision to keep visits running after the incident.
• Associations say economic pressures and deregulation leave guides working long, exposed shifts and note that no operational changes to opening hours have been announced.