by InTrieste
Local authorities in Trieste responded quickly to a ceiling collapse in a classroom at the Liceo Petrarca school branch on Via Tigor, which occurred earlier this morning. According to regional officials, a piece of plaster detached from the ceiling around 9:30 a.m., injuring a student. The student was lightly struck by the falling debris and was taken to Cattinara Hospital for medical checks.
Cristina Amirante, the Regional Councillor for Infrastructure, and Alessia Rosolen, the Regional Councillor for Education, assured the public that the situation was immediately taken under control. The Regional Decentralization Entity (EDR), responsible for the maintenance of school buildings, was informed at 10 a.m. and dispatched technicians to the scene. The Fire Brigade was also called, and a report was issued prohibiting access to the entire building until further structural inspections could be conducted.
“Although this was an unexpected and isolated event, our priority is the safety of students,” said Amirante. “We are taking all necessary steps to address the issue promptly.”
In response to the incident, the EDR announced that a full inspection of the building would begin tomorrow while the school remains empty, including a check of stairwells, hallways, and all other spaces within the structure. The inspections will be carried out with the assistance of a qualified structural engineer, who will perform material tests and evaluate the integrity of the building’s ceilings. The authorities have pledged to establish a timeline for any needed repairs and to resume school activities as quickly as possible.
The building in question, a historic structure owned by the University of Trieste, has been under the care of the EDR since 2021. Routine checks are carried out both by the EDR’s technicians and by HSE Spa, a specialized maintenance company.
Both Amirante and Rosolen emphasized that no prior issues with the ceiling had been reported, and there had been no signs of imminent danger before the incident occurred.
The incident prompted criticism from some political figures, with one opposition councillor describing the event as “unacceptable” and accusing the regional government of inefficiency. In response, the regional officials defended their handling of the situation, asserting that safety remains a top priority and stressing that the incident had been managed with urgency and transparency.
“The EDR is working with all available resources and has been supported by specialized companies,” said Rosolen. “It is unhelpful to turn an unforeseeable event into a political issue. Our focus should be on ensuring that students have safe and modern learning environments.”
