A section of a historic tower in the heart of Rome collapsed on Monday morning during ongoing restoration work, resulting in one worker being seriously injured and another temporarily trapped.
The incident occurred at the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century structure located near the ancient Roman Forum. According to initial reports, debris fell from the tower just after 11:30 a.m., striking a 64-year-old construction worker. Emergency services transported the man to a nearby hospital in critical condition, though authorities later stated his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Firefighters successfully rescued three other workers from the scaffolding surrounding the 29-meter tower. However, during the rescue operation, a further internal section of the structure gave way, leaving one additional worker stranded on an upper floor before he was later extracted.
The collapse sent a large cloud of dust into the air and was accompanied by a loud noise, startling hundreds of tourists and locals in the densely populated area around Piazza Venezia. The site has since been cordoned off by police.
The Torre dei Conti was originally built as a fortified family residence under the orders of Pope Innocent III. It has suffered significant damage from earthquakes and partial collapses over the centuries. The current restoration project is funded by the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery program.
Local and cultural officials visited the scene following the incident. An investigation into the cause of the collapse is expected.