A worker from Romania was rescued by emergency services in Rome after being trapped under debris for several hours following a partial collapse of a medieval tower close to the Colosseum. The man, in a serious condition, was extracted and transported to a hospital by ambulance, according to Rome police Chief Lamberto Giannini.
Footage from social media and Reuters revealed parts of the 29-meter Torre dei Conti crumbling on two occasions, with the initial collapse occurring around 10:30 a.m. local time and the second about an hour and a half later. Dust and debris spewed from the windows during the collapses, with the second incident happening while firefighters were conducting rescue operations on the tower using aerial ladders.
Fortunately, none of the firefighters sustained injuries during the incidents. The rescue of the trapped worker was a challenging and prolonged process as further collapses repeatedly buried him under rubble each time a part of his body was freed.
Another Romanian worker was swiftly rescued with serious head injuries, while two others sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalization. The tower, slated for conversion into a museum and conference venue, stands on Via dei Fori Imperiali, a prominent avenue leading from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.
Despite significant internal damage, the tower remained standing. It had served as city hall offices until 2006 and was undergoing a four-year renovation project scheduled for completion next year, as confirmed by Rome city authorities. Due to ongoing EU-funded restoration work, pedestrian access around the tower had been restricted.
Originally constructed in the early 13th century by Pope Innocent III for his family, the tower was initially twice its current height but was reduced due to earthquake damage in the 14th and 17th centuries.