Emergency services rescued four workers but suspended operations after a second collapse at the 13th-century Roman monument, leaving one person still trapped under debris.
A partial structural failure at Rome’s Torre dei Conti on Monday has left one construction worker trapped and prompted a multi-agency response, according to local reports.
The initial collapse occurred around midday, bringing three fire brigade units and specialized rescue teams to the medieval site. Emergency operations were interrupted when a secondary structural failure forced personnel to evacuate the immediate area, La Repubblica reports.
The incident took place amid ongoing restoration of the 13th-century monument, a project supported by European Union funding.
Rescue efforts disrupted
Fire brigade teams successfully extracted four construction workers from the site before operations were halted. One worker remains buried beneath the rubble following the second collapse.
Three individuals positioned at the tower’s upper levels were evacuated using aerial rescue equipment. Emergency medical services transported a 64-year-old male worker to hospital for treatment of head trauma, marking the most severe injury reported thus far.
The site has drawn responses from multiple authorities, including local law enforcement, heritage preservation officials, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli.
Dual investigations underway
Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into potential criminal negligence resulting in bodily harm. A parallel technical investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the structural failure during restoration of the tower, which dates to 1238.
The investigations are expected to determine whether proper safety protocols were followed during the EU-funded renovation project.
Myrna Whitaker 
Nils Lund 
Anna Broberg 
