A laborer was miraculously saved after being stuck beneath the debris of an ancient tower in Rome today. The man was engaged in refurbishing the Torre dei Conti, close to the Colosseum, when a section collapsed, trapping him. Local TV footage displayed three rescuers transferring him onto a telescopic ladder before lowering him and transporting him on a stretcher to an ambulance. While his condition was not immediately disclosed, Adriano De Acutis, the head chief of Rome’s firefighters, informed state TV channel RAI that he was conscious.
“In light of the perceived severity of the situation, medical evaluations will now be conducted, and he has been promptly taken to the hospital,” Lamberto Giannini, Rome’s prefect, later informed journalists. “The rescue operation was prolonged due to each liberated body part being subsequently covered by additional rubble.”
Initially, rescuers attempted to access the worker through a first-floor window but had to retreat as another part of the structure collapsed, sending a cloud of debris into the air. A subsequent effort using two ladders was also abandoned, and a drone was later brought in. Firefighters were eventually hoisted by a crane and used large tubes to extract rubble from the second-floor window, working late into the night.
The initial collapse impacted the central buttress of the building’s southern side, with the subsequent collapse affecting part of the stairwell and the roof, as per cultural heritage officials.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri stated that the worker had been communicating with rescuers and utilizing an oxygen mask. He characterized the operation as “highly sensitive” due to the need for caution to prevent further collapses.
Following the midday incident, three other workers were safely rescued, according to fire service spokesperson Luca Cari. Another worker, aged 64, was transported to the hospital in critical condition. RAI reported that he was conscious but had sustained a broken nose. No firefighters were harmed during the rescue mission.
The Torre dei Conti, shut since 2007, was constructed in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a residence for his family. It endured damage in a 1349 earthquake and further collapses in the 17th century.
The tower is presently undergoing a £6 million renovation, encompassing conservation work, electrical and lighting system installations, and a new museum exhibit showcasing the latest phases of the Roman Imperial Forum, officials stated.
Before the recent phase began in June, structural assessments and load tests were conducted to assess the building’s stability, confirming the necessary safety conditions to proceed with the work, including asbestos removal. The ongoing work, valued at £350,000, was nearly finished.
Italian prosecutors were present during the rescue, probing potential charges of negligent disaster and negligent injuries, as per Italian media reports.
German student Viktoria Braeu, 18, had just completed a tour of the nearby Colosseum and witnessed the initial rescue attempt by firefighters. “And then we were like, ‘It’s probably not long until it’s going to go down,’ and then it just started erupting,” he informed The Associated Press.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had earlier expressed optimism for the worker’s rescue.
“My thoughts and condolences are with the individual currently battling for his life under the rubble and with his family, for whom I earnestly hope for a positive outcome from this tragedy,” Meloni stated. “I wish to express my gratitude to all the law enforcement officials, firefighters, and rescue personnel who are courageously, professionally, and devotedly intervening in this exceedingly challenging situation.”
