A tour guide has died after collapsing while showing around groups at the Colosseum.
Giovanna Maria Giammarino was talking 25 people through a panel on the first floor of the UNESCO world heritage site in Rome when she fell.
Despite attempts by two tourists to revive the 55-year-old, she was pronounced dead by the time staff arrived with a defibrillator.
Large swathes of Europe has endured a blistering heatwave this summer, resulting in widespread wildfires.
Earlier this month, Italy’s health ministry issued a red alert heat warning for seven major cities.
Leading tourism industry groups have since called for summer opening hours at Italy’s busiest attractions to be changed.
The Colosseum is open every day between 8.30am and 7.15pm from March to September.
Italy’s Certified Tour guide Association (AGTA) said Giovanna Maria’s deathunderlined the physically back-breaking work of tour guides during the crowded and often boiling, summer months.
It said in a statement: ‘The death of our colleague also presents a number of problems that the Park Directorate and the Ministry have ignored and rejected in all these recent years.’
The group has called on the site’s directors to extend the opening hours of the amphitheatre and the adjacent Roman forum, so that both open to tourists from 7am in the morning to allow people to tour during cooler hours.
Meanwhile Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL) condemned the decision to reopen the park and restart guided tours so soon after the tragedy on Wednesday.
‘We express our deepest condolences for the passing of Giovanna Maria Giammarino’, a statement from the group read.
‘In this tragedy, we regret to note that, once again, when a person dies at work, work activities are not suspended.
‘We therefore condemn the decision to reopen the monument despite the dramatic event.
‘It’s true that guided tours are booked by the public well in advance, but sentiments of condolence should have prevailed over any event or intiative.’
How to stay safe in the heat
Drink plenty of fluids
Avoid excess alcohol
Dress appropriately for the weather in light clothing
Stay in the shade where possible
Keep your home cool by closing curtains and opening windows
Wear suncream and a hat to avoid getting sunburnt
Slow down when it’s hot
Go indoors or outdoors: whichever feels cooler
Remember cars get hot and avoid closed spaces
Look out for signs of heat-related illness
Cool your skin with water
Stay safe when swimming by looking out for warning signs
Call NHS 111 or in an emergency 999
One of Giovanna Maria’s colleagues said that summer working had become ‘too much stress’ amid intense heatwaves.
He told La Repubblica: ‘It’s not possible to work in the conditions we are forced to every day. Overtourism is killing us.
‘I have had to stop working with tourist groups and in several places including the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum because it’s impossible. Too much stress.’
He continued: ‘We have to manage fixed groups of people, one after another, ticket queues, the stress of going from one side of the city to the other on public transport, constant discussions to manage tourists. It’s not easy to do this work, in fact it’s become ever more stressful.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
