Leonardo Cortese, 19, dies in Vicenza pool during apnea challenge

Leonardo Cortese, a 19‑year‑old from Trento, died after attempting a breath‑holding (apnea) challenge with a friend in the public Blue Planet pool in Montecchio Precalcino, Vicenza province. The two had entered the water together and decided to see who could stay underwater longest. Cortese failed to surface; his companion raised the alarm and lifeguards rescued him, but he was already in cardiac arrest. Emergency crews from the local hospital and an air‑ambulance arrived, performed intubation and prolonged resuscitation attempts, but he was declared dead at the poolside.

The Vicenza prosecutor’s office opened an investigation to determine whether the death resulted from prolonged apnea, a sudden medical episode, or other factors, and to assess compliance with safety procedures at the facility. Police have collected testimonies from the friend and other witnesses and have obtained video‑surveillance footage from the pool. The pool has been temporarily closed pending the inquiry.