Death of Alfredo Rampi
Alfredo Rampi, nicknamed Alfredino, was an Italian child who died after falling into a well in Vermicino, a village near Frascati, on 10 June 1981.
Incident
On 10 June 1981, around 19:00, six-year-old Alfredo walked with his family. He asked to return home alone. While wandering, he fell into an artesian well, approximately wide and deep. Rescuers estimated his position at below ground.Local firefighters attempted to lower a board attached to a rope for Alfredo to grab. The board became stuck, blocking the exit, and the rope tore. Three cave explorers tried descending upside-down to remove the board but failed due to the narrow passage.
Rome fire department commander Elveno Pastorelli ordered digging a parallel shaft deep with a connecting tunnel to reach Alfredo from below. Heavy machinery broke through hard rock layers, but vibrations caused Alfredo to slip deeper. The tunnel was from the well.The rescue drew unprecedented media attention. President Sandro Pertini visited the site.
Volunteer Angelo Licheri descended the well, reached Alfredo, and attempted to secure a harness, but failed. Further rescue attempts were unsuccessful, and Alfredo slipped deeper. His voice, relayed by microphone, weakened. He likely died around 6:30 on 13 June 1981. Volunteer Donato Caruso confirmed his death while attempting to secure a harness. The body was recovered on 11 July.
Alfredo's mother, Franca Rampi, founded the Rampi Centre to improve emergency rescue coordination.