Dramatic Rescue After Medieval Tower Collapses in Central Rome
In the heart of Rome, near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, a piece of history came crashing down this week. The Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century medieval tower, partially collapsed during restoration work — leaving several workers trapped under the rubble and sending a huge cloud of dust across the ancient city.
It all unfolded late Monday morning. According to officials, the 95-foot-tall tower had been under renovation when the structure suddenly gave way around 11 a.m. Eleven workers from two companies were on-site at the time. The first collapse happened without warning, and before emergency services could fully assess the situation, a second partial collapse followed about an hour later — making rescue efforts even more dangerous.
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Among those trapped was a 66-year-old worker who remained pinned under the debris for nearly 11 hours. As firefighters battled falling masonry and unstable conditions, the operation was paused multiple times for safety. But just before midnight, rescuers achieved what was described as an “exceptional feat.” The man was finally pulled free, conscious and alive. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance escorted by police. His current condition has not yet been made public.
Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the Rome Fire Service, praised the bravery of the 140 firefighters who rushed to the scene. Some of them, he said, were digging through the rubble with their bare hands. “We have achieved an exceptional feat: the injured man has been extracted, brought to ground level, and is already in the ambulance. We can give the exceptional news that he is alive,” Cari announced to reporters, visibly relieved.
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, confirmed that doctors had managed to reach the trapped worker earlier in the evening to provide oxygen and medical assistance while rescue teams worked to stabilize the structure. Miraculously, no firefighters were injured during the operation. Three other workers were also rescued — two without harm, while another 64-year-old was treated for a head injury.
The Torre dei Conti has stood for more than 800 years and was originally built by Pope Innocent III as a fortified residence for his family. The tower had been closed to the public since 2007, but recent funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan had enabled restoration efforts aimed at preserving its historic character.
Authorities are now investigating what caused the collapse. For Romans, it’s a sobering reminder that even centuries-old structures — symbols of the city’s enduring past — require delicate care. But amid the dust and debris, the survival of that trapped worker stands as a testament to the determination and courage of those who risked their lives to save him.
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