Arezzo, two State Archives employees die intoxicated at work. Minister orders internal inspection

Tragedy at theArezzo State Archives, where two employees died of poisoning, while a third survived. According to local media reports, the two employees, 59-year-old Piero Bruni and 55-year-old Filippo Bagni, were carrying out checks in a basement room after the fire-fighting system went into operation: following an argon leak, the room was invaded by the gas that deprived it of oxygen, causing the two people to suffocate to death. Nothing could be done by rescue workers, who were called by colleagues who found the two workers lying on the floor. The two employees of the State Archives, Roberto Tommasini, manager of the Arezzo Fire Department, told the press, found themselves “in an environment saturated with argon, remaining intoxicated: the gas does not cause bursts but burns oxygen.” The building, which is located in the historic center of the Tuscan city near Piazza Grande, has been evacuated, and now the causes of the dramatic incident will have to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, the minister of cultural heritage, Alberto Bonisoli, has ordered an internal investigation. “I have learned of the tragic death of two people, Filippo Bagni and Piero Bruni, who were working at the state archives in Arezzo,” the minister said. “I am dismayed and deeply saddened. I want to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and a wish for a speedy recovery to the third person involved in the accident. I have immediately ordered an internal inspection of the ministry that may possibly also assist the prosecutor’s office, which has already dutifully opened an investigation. I have already arranged for officials to be sent to Arezzo and, together with the ministry’s top management, we are following the matter in real time.”

Pictured is the headquarters of the Arezzo State Archives.

Arezzo, two State Archives employees die intoxicated at work. Minister orders internal inspection

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