Moments of panic struck Rome this Monday morning when part of the 13th-century Torre dei Conti, located in the center of the Roman forum, collapsed, sending a large cloud of dust into the street, which was busy with tourists. “It was 11:24, I know this as I immediately started recording a video. I was taking orders from some tourists at the table on the terrace and suddenly a noise was heard, we ran away,” a waiter from a pizzeria across the street told EL PAÍS.
Rehabilitation work had been underway on the tower for months, as it had been abandoned as 2006. The collapse surprised several workers on scaffolding installed on that side of the building. At least one worker was trapped under the rubble for 11 hours before being rescued after 10:30 p.m. Applause erupted from the crowd as he was lowered into an ambulance and transported to the Umberto I Polyclinic in serious condition, according to Italian media. A total of 140 firefighters worked on the operation.
The rescued worker is 66-year-old Octay Stroici, a Romanian national, like several of the employees, Italian media report. He remained conscious throughout the ordeal and was able to communicate with the firefighters who reached him. His wife anxiously waited for news at the foot of the tower, accompanied by the Romanian ambassador in Rome. Another individual,a 64-year-old man,was also seriously injured with a skull trauma and transported to San Giovanni hospital,but is out of danger.
At least three other workers were rescued with minor injuries, including some who were isolated on the tower’s terrace and evacuated by firefighters using an escalator. Rescue teams also entered through a tower window, searching for anyone else who might be trapped.According to the Italian agency ANSA, there were 11 workers at the site at the time of the collapse. The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and any potential liabilities.
Around 12:50 p.m., while firefighters were already at the scene, a second, internal collapse occurred, but no one was injured.Another cloud of dust spread through the surrounding area. According to the prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini, firefighters had already established a perimeter by that time.