Additional Coverage:
- Medieval tower partially collapses in Rome critically injuring worker and trapping another (nbcnews.com)
Medieval Rome Tower Crumbles During Renovations, Injuring One Worker
Rome, Italy – A centuries-old tower in the heart of Rome, the Torre dei Conti, partially collapsed on Monday during ongoing renovation work, critically injuring one worker and trapping another. The dramatic incident unfolded near the historic Roman Forum, witnessed by hundreds of tourists.
Emergency services, including firefighters, swiftly responded to the scene. A mobile ladder was deployed to reach the upper levels of the medieval structure to rescue a worker who remained trapped. However, during the rescue operation, a second section of the tower gave way, sending a plume of dust and debris into the air and forcing firefighters to momentarily retreat.
Firefighter spokesman Luca Cari confirmed that one worker remained trapped for several hours after the initial collapse. He added that a rescued worker was in critical condition, while three other workers were safely extracted and unharmed.
The initial collapse occurred before noon and thankfully did not involve any bystanders. Queen Paglinawan, 27, who was working in a nearby gelato parlor, described hearing two loud noises in quick succession. “I was working and then I heard some like falling, and then I saw the tower collapse in a diagonal way,” Paglinawan recounted, as yet another minor collapse occurred in the background.
German student Viktoria Braeu, 18, passed by the scene just as the second partial collapse occurred during the rescue attempt. “We were just at the Colosseum – and we were just walking to get some food. … And then we were like, ‘It’s probably not long until it’s going to go down,’ and then it just started erupting,” Braeu said.
Later, firefighters attempted to approach a first-floor window using two mobile ladders, but were again pulled back as dust emerged. Authorities then deployed a drone to inspect the condition of the trapped worker.
The Torre dei Conti, originally built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a family residence, has a history of structural challenges. It was damaged in a 1349 earthquake and experienced subsequent collapses in the 17th century.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli were present at the scene but declined to comment on the incident.