A Scottish tourist died of his injury after his holiday home was destroyed on suspicion of a gas explosion.
Grant Patterson, a native of East Kilbride, was on a break in Rome when the city’s Monteverde area bed and breakfast collapsed on March 23rd.
The 54-year-old, who worked as a senior catering assessment for ferry operator Calmac, was understood to have been burned in 75% of his body after the explosion.
His employer described him as a “true gentleman” and his colleagues said he was “distraught” at his death.
Patterson had arrived in Rome a few days before the building collapsed.
Diane Burke, Karmac’s chief operating officer, said, “Grant has passed away for everyone in Karmac. He is a true gentleman and credit to MV Klanman, the vessel he took.
“In his 12-year prominent career with us, he embodied the best Karmac, a bigger character than his life, and he was also loved by his colleagues and passengers a lot.
“Our idea is with Grant’s friends and family during this extremely difficult time.”
In a statement, Rome mayor Roberto Guartieri said the news was “sad for everything in Rome.”
He added: “I would like to express my personal sadness and express the people of the whole city to his loved ones and fellow citizens. I sincerely hope that the investigation into the incident will shed a rapid light on this horrifying accident.”
Mayor Gualtieri had already ordered an investigation into the collapse.
At the time of the incident, he said the burns “indicate an explosion caused by gas, causing flames.”
He added: “It was a very big explosion, the building collapsed and the walls of Villa Pamphili were damaged.”
According to a social media post, Patterson visited famous sites such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon before the explosion.
The fundraiser, organized by a friend of Mr Patterson and aimed to raise money for him and his daughter, raised over £12,000.
A foreign ministry spokesman said, “We have died in Italy and are supporting the British families who are in touch with local authorities.”
