Barletta worker dies after 10-meter fall at oil mill

Vincenzo Dibenedetto, a 34-year-old worker from Barletta, died following a workplace accident at an oil mill in via Foggia. The incident occurred while Dibenedetto was performing maintenance work, specifically involving the positioning of a tank using a crane. He reportedly fell approximately 9 to 10 meters from a basket near a silo.

After being treated at the Dimiccoli hospital in Barletta, he was transferred to the Bonomo hospital in Andria for surgery. Despite medical efforts in the intensive care unit, he passed away late on Thursday evening.

The Prosecutor's Office of Trani has opened an investigation into manslaughter to determine the exact cause of the fall and to verify compliance with workplace safety regulations. Authorities, including the Carabinieri and technical staff from the Asl Bt Spesal, have seized the equipment used and the specific area of the mill where the fall occurred.

Labor unions, including Flai Cgil Bat, have issued statements condemning the tragedy and calling for stricter preventive controls and training to ensure worker safety, noting that such incidents should not be viewed as inevitable.