Historic Structure Crumbles as Workers Trapped Inside
ROME — A 13th-century tower standing in the shadow of Rome’s ancient ruins became the scene of a dramatic rescue operation Monday when portions of the medieval structure collapsed during renovation work, trapping workers inside and sending tourists scrambling for safety.
The Torre dei Conti, built more than 700 years ago near the iconic Roman Forum, partially gave way around midday as construction crews worked to restore the aging monument. At least one worker suffered serious injuries, while three others were rescued from the crumbling tower as hundreds of onlookers watched the emergency unfold.
Firefighters rushed to the scene with mobile ladders, carefully navigating the unstable structure to reach those trapped inside. Television footage captured the tense moments as rescue teams brought a stretcher to the tower’s upper levels, working against time to evacuate the workers.
But the tower wasn’t finished collapsing. As firefighters conducted their rescue operation, another section of the medieval structure gave way, sending a massive cloud of dust and debris billowing into the air above one of Rome’s most visited tourist areas. The firefighters, perched on a mobile ladder at the time, quickly descended to safety as the additional collapse occurred.
One worker remained trapped inside the unstable structure as of Monday afternoon, though officials have not confirmed whether the secondary collapse resulted in additional injuries.
The Torre dei Conti has survived more than eight centuries of Roman history, but its existence has been precarious for much of that time. Pope Innocent III commissioned the tower in the 1200s as a fortified residence for his family, the Conti di Segni. The structure once stood as one of the tallest towers in medieval Rome, a symbol of the family’s power and influence.
However, the tower’s glory days were cut short by a devastating earthquake in 1349 that damaged the structure. Further collapses in the 1600s reduced the tower to a fraction of its original height. Despite these setbacks, the Torre dei Conti remained a fixture of Rome’s historic center, a testament to the city’s layered history.
The collapse has drawn Rome’s top officials to the scene. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli both arrived at the Torre dei Conti on Monday, surveying the damage and consulting with emergency responders.
The incident raises fresh questions about the preservation of Italy’s countless historic structures, many of which require constant maintenance and renovation to prevent decay. The collapse occurred during work intended to save the tower, highlighting the delicate balance between preservation and the risks inherent in working with centuries-old buildings.
The area around the Roman Forum, one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, typically teems with tourists photographing the remains of ancient Rome. On Monday, those visitors instead witnessed a piece of medieval history crumbling before their eyes, a stark reminder that even in a city built to last for eternity, time and gravity eventually take their toll.
Authorities have not yet released information about the extent of the damage or whether the remainder of the tower remains stable. The investigation into what caused the collapse during renovation work is expected to begin once the rescue operation concludes and the site is secured.
