The Colosseum in Rome was lit up in pink on Tuesday evening as part of a breast cancer prevention campaign.

Crowds gathered outside the ancient monument as messages promoting prevention, research and training were displayed on its walls, including 'prevention is our masterpiece'.

The event marked the launch of the seventh edition of the national 'La prevenzione è il nostro capolavoro' campaign, organised by Komen Italia with Italy's Culture Ministry and, this year, the Health Ministry.

The initiative promotes breast cancer prevention and early diagnosis ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The monument was later closed to the public on Wednesday after a 22-year-old worker died in a fall while installing a new lighting system. An investigation is under way.