Two young workers, aged 30 and 23, died on Monday morning after falling into a biological residue collection tank in Veternigo, a hamlet of Santa Maria di Sala, Venice province. Preliminary reports indicate the victims were cleaning a septic tank on private property. Despite prompt emergency response, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighters recovered their bodies.
The incident occurred on the grounds of a private residence. Authorities are investigating the cause of death, with initial speculation pointing to toxic fumes. Carabinieri and Spisal safety technicians are conducting inquiries. Firefighters, including an NBCR (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Radiological) unit, are securing the area.
The victims were employed by a moving company subcontracted to clean the specialized biological tank. Union sources indicate this was not a standard septic tank but a deeper structure linked to the property’s past uses, which included a craft workshop and an immigrant reception center. The cleaning operation had already been performed by workers from the Marghera (Venice)-based subcontractor.
Separate Farm Fatality Near Mantua**
In a separate incident also on Monday morning, Italian agricultural worker Mario Malzani, 50, suffered fatal injuries at a farm in Canneto sull’Oglio, Mantua province. Malzani, who would have turned 51 on October 4th, fell into a silage loader machine (insilatrice) used to transport chopped feed into silos. While attempting to clear a blockage, he was suddenly pulled into the machinery when its gears unexpectedly restarted, causing immediate death. Colleagues discovered his body after noticing his absence near the machine. Carabinieri from Viadana, firefighters, and ATS Valpadana workplace safety technicians responded.
The incidents occurred amidst union criticism. Anmil denounced, “The only ones not on holiday are the workers, and they continue to die,” citing eight serious workplace accidents across Italy in four days.
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