Torre dei conti Collapse in Rome: One worker Dead, Rescue Efforts Complicated by Second Failure
A partial collapse of the historic torre dei Conti in central Rome on Monday has resulted in one confirmed fatality and a complex, ongoing rescue operation. the incident, occurring around 11:20 AM near the Imperial Forums, has prompted an immediate examination into potential safety lapses during the tower’s extensive, 7 million euro renovation.
Fear gripped the heart of Rome as a section of the Torre dei Conti crumbled in Via Corrado Ricci, a bustling street near the Colosseum. The collapse trapped a 36-year-old Romanian worker on the first floor.
Despite the perilous conditions, firefighters from the SAF (Speleo-Alpine-river) group worked tirelessly, even resorting to digging with their bare hands, to reach the trapped man. After 11 hours, he was pulled from the rubble alive, but was immediately hospitalized in critical condition. Sadly, he later succumbed to his injuries. “I was outside waiting tables when I heard a noise of rubble. I raised my head and I saw a worker fall,” recounted a witness, a waitress at a nearby restaurant on Via del Colosseo.
The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened a manslaughter investigation,focusing on potential negligent injury and culpable disaster. Prosecutor Mario Dovinola conducted an on-site inspection with specialized judicial police to determine the cause of the initial failure and the subsequent collapse. The Capitoline public prosecutors will also consult experts to assess the structural integrity of the tower.
The ongoing renovation,designated “ID 26 – Tor de’ Conti – Restoration and preparation of the building,” is a major component of Italy’s Pnrr “Caput Mundi” fund,allocated for the recovery of Rome’s cultural heritage. The project, totaling 6,900,000 euros, encompasses static consolidation, restoration, and the installation of modern systems, with plans to create a museum and service center dedicated to the Imperial Forums. According to a statement from the Capitoline Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the first phase of the work, completed at a cost of approximately 400,000 euros, focused on asbestos removal and preliminary work. Prior to commencement, structural investigations and load tests were conducted, reportedly certifying the structure’s safety.
A second, more significant collapse occurred around 1:00 PM, further jeopardizing the rescue operation.This internal failure created a thick cloud of smoke, briefly impacting rescuers and onlookers, and led to a firefighter being transported to the Ophthalmic Hospital for eye irritation. The tower is now considered highly unstable and at risk of complete collapse.
The initial collapse affected the central buttress on the southern side and the underlying scarp base, while the second collapse impacted a stairwell and the roof attic. Authorities have seized the construction site and are questioning workers from EdilErica and Picalarga srl, the companies involved in the renovation. Investigators are examining whether safety measures were adequately implemented.
The incident has also drawn international attention, with a controversial statement from Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggesting Italy’s economic woes are contributing to its infrastructure failures. Her comments prompted the Italian Foreign Ministry to summon the Russian ambassador.
The Torre dei Conti, originally exceeding 50-60 meters in height, dates back to the medieval period and served as both a residence and fortress for prominent families and ecclesiastical authorities. Despite being reduced to 29 meters due to earthquakes throughout its history – notably in 1348, 1630, and 1644 – it remains a significant example of Rome’s medieval tower houses.
Prefect Lamberto Giannini described the operation as “delicate,” noting that firefighters were able to provide protective gear to workers possibly exposed to falling debris.Rescuers were able to establish verbal contact with the trapped worker around 4:30 PM and provided him with oxygen. earthquake experts from the national fire brigade’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, experienced in disaster response, were deployed to the scene.
As of the latest update, the area remains wholly blocked off by police, and the investigation continues to unfold.The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with the restoration of historic structures and the critical importance of stringent safety protocols.
November 3, 2025 (changed November 4, 2025 | 01:13)
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