A 17-year-old boy, Riccardo B., tragically died after being buried alive when a sand tunnel he dug collapsed on Montalto di Castro beach in northwest Italy.
Riccardo, who was on holiday with his family from Rome, had carved a tunnel in the sand that he intended to crawl through.
As he reached the middle, the structure gave way, and he was quickly buried under the sand.
Witnesses described how the collapse happened in moments, leaving no visible sign of the hole. Lifeguards, beachgoers, and Riccardo’s father attempted to rescue him before emergency services arrived, but he had already suffocated.
Local officials expressed shock at the tragedy. The mayor of Montalto di Castro extended condolences to the family and announced the suspension of all public events as the community mourns the loss.
Authorities have urged caution when digging in sand to prevent similar accidents in the future.
