Big section of Bolzano courthouse collapses

A big section of the courthouse in

the northern city of Bolzano collapsed early on Thursday,

luckily before it had opened for business.

At least a quarter of the Fascist era building, which was

undergoing renovation and extension work, caved in.

"At the time of the collapse, only three people—three

cleaners—were inside the courthouse; only one suffered minor

scratches, but it can be called a miracle," the Court's

President Francesca Bortolotti told ANSA.

"It could have been a tragedy.

"What gave way were the load-bearing pillars in the area

undergoing renovation work."

Prosecutor Axel Bisignano told ANSA that the whole central part

of the courthouse was unfit for use.

"It is still too early to say what the causes are," Bisignano

said.

"The aim now is to restore service as soon as possible and

figure out how to redistribute the workforce".

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA