An individual from Romania got trapped under debris in Rome after a medieval tower near the Colosseum partially collapsed. Emergency services successfully rescued the worker after hours of effort, as confirmed by local authorities.
Rome police Chief Lamberto Giannini informed state television station Rai that the man, in critical condition, was taken to the hospital by ambulance following the rescue operation. Videos on social media and Reuters footage captured the 29-meter Torre dei Conti crumbling to the ground twice, first at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time and then 90 minutes later.
Dust clouds and the sound of falling masonry emanated from the windows during the collapses. The second incident occurred while firefighters were using aerial ladders on the structure.
Fortunately, none of the firefighters sustained injuries during the incident.
Firefighters were on the scene on Monday when part of Torre dei Conti — a 29-meter-tall medieval tower near the Colosseum in Rome — collapsed. (UPDATE, Nov. 4, 2025: A worker who was injured in the collapse later died.)
Challenging Rescue Effort
“The rescue operation was prolonged due to recurring collapses each time a section of the worker was freed, causing him to be buried under rubble again,” mentioned Giannini.
Another Romanian worker was swiftly rescued and hospitalized with severe head injuries, while two more workers sustained minor injuries and opted not to go to the hospital.
The tower, slated for conversion into a museum and conference venue, stands along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, a key avenue connecting Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.
Although the building remained upright, it displayed significant internal damage.
The tower, once housing city hall offices, has been inactive since 2006 and was under renovation as part of a four-year project set to conclude next year, according to Rome city authorities.
Due to restoration work funded by the EU, the vicinity around the tower was cordoned off from pedestrians.
Pope Innocent III erected the building for his family in the early 13th century. Originally twice its current height, the tower was reduced in size after sustaining damage from earthquakes in the 14th and 17th centuries.