Overview

• The Civitavecchia prosecutor’s office launched a case “against persons unknown” over the July 10 collapse that buried 17-year-old Riccardo B. alive on Montalto di Castro beach.
• Authorities are considering ordering an autopsy to determine how sand-induced suffocation occurred and to assess potential legal responsibility.
• Riccardo had dug a roughly 1.5-meter-deep tunnel to crawl through while on holiday with his family when its walls suddenly gave way.
• Emergency responders, lifeguards and beachgoers spent more than 40 minutes digging him out but paramedics were unable to revive him.
• Mayor Emanuela Socciarelli offered official condolences, described the death as unthinkable and suspended all public events in solidarity with the mourning community.