Partial Collapse of Medieval Tower Torre dei Conti in Rome Sparks Rescue Operations
In the heart of historic Rome, near the famed Colosseum, a major incident occurred involving the partial collapse of the medieval Torre dei Conti, which is currently undergoing restoration.
The event caused chaos among residents, tourists, and construction workers present at the site.
According to initial reports, 11 individuals were at the location when the accident happened.
One of them, a 64-year-old worker, sustained severe injuries and was urgently hospitalized after being extracted from the debris.
Two other workers suffered minor injuries and refused hospitalization.
Notably, one person remains trapped under the rubble, and medical professionals confirm they are conscious and fighting for survival.
Rescue efforts were complicated when a second collapse occurred during operations to free the trapped individual, leading to a temporary halt while assessing the structural stability of the tower.
Rescue teams recorded two structural collapses, with the second happening amid attempts to aid the injured.
A firefighter sustained eye irritation and received treatment at an ophthalmic unit.
Rome’s Prefect, Lambert Jannini, affirmed ongoing rescue efforts, emphasizing that one person is still trapped but shows signs of being alive.
The Torre dei Conti, built in the early 13th century during Pope Innocent III’s papacy, lost its residential function after the 1349 earthquake, and its upper parts later collapsed.
In the 17th century, the lower section was fortified with buttresses under Pope Alexander VIII.
Currently, only about 29 meters of the structure remain, undergoing restoration.
This incident echoes similar events worldwide, such as the roof collapse of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic, which resulted in at least 184 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
Investigators are considering internal structural failure as a probable cause, with authorities continuing probe into the incident.