A worker from Romania was rescued by emergency services in Rome after being trapped under rubble for hours following a partial collapse of a medieval tower near the Colosseum, as confirmed by local authorities. Rome police Chief Lamberto Giannini stated that the man was extracted and taken to the hospital via ambulance in a serious condition.
Footage from social media and Reuters showed sections of the 29-meter Torre dei Conti collapsing twice, first around 10:30 a.m. local time and again 90 minutes later. Dust and debris filled the air as the structure crumbled, with the second collapse occurring while firefighters were on the scene.
Fortunately, none of the firefighters sustained injuries during the incident. The rescue operation was described as lengthy and challenging, with Chief Giannini explaining that each time a part of the worker was freed, further collapses hindered the process.
Another Romanian worker was swiftly rescued and hospitalized with serious head injuries, while two more workers sustained minor injuries but opted not to go to the hospital. The tower, slated for conversion into a museum and conference venue, stands on Via dei Fori Imperiali and displayed noticeable internal damage.
The building, constructed in the early 13th century for Pope Innocent III’s family, has a history of seismic damage and was undergoing a renovation project funded by the EU. The area surrounding the tower was closed off to pedestrians due to the restoration work.