A seven-year-old boy has died after becoming trapped in a swimming pool's suction duct in Italy, just two days after his birthday. Gabriele Petrucci was celebrating his birthday with his parents and friends at a wellness retreat in Castelforte on April 18 when the tragic incident occurred.
Gabriele was in the shallow water with his mother, while his father stood only a few yards away at the pool's edge. Suddenly, the boy disappeared. His father, Antonello, recounted the horrifying moment: "At one point I turned round to put some things down and then I couldn't see him any more. I saw Gabriele's little body curled up in this suction pipe. I tried to pull him out with my hands."
Despite struggling underwater, Gabriele was unable to resurface. Antonello said three people helped him, but even together they could not free the boy. "They had to switch off the pump so I could free him. His arm was purple - he fought like a lion to get free," he added.
Missing Protective Grate
Initial investigations suggest that the outdoor pool's suction pipe at the Complesso Termale Vescine was missing a protective grate. The family's lawyer, Francesco Lauri, stated: "They tried to revive him for a long time, but there was nothing they could do."
Antonello accused the retreat of attempting to cover up the incident. He told local media: "As if by magic, this grille appeared a long way off - so far away that I can only assume someone put it there afterwards." He expressed his devastation, saying: "A family can't leave as a group of three for a birthday party and return as a group of two. My wife is devastated. We had a son who was a jewel, strong and intelligent. My son died due to negligence."
Investigation and Legal Action
Prosecutors in Cassino are investigating four individuals for alleged manslaughter, including the retreat's managers, the owner of the maintenance company, and the worker responsible for refitting the grille. A technical inspection of the site is scheduled for Monday, while Gabriele will be laid to rest in Rome on Saturday, April 25.
The family's lawyer added: "His death is entirely attributable to poor pool management and an outdated, non-compliant safety system. I won't comment on the lifeguards' competence, which is a secondary issue compared to a tragedy that should have been prevented."
