Central Rome shaken as historic tower crumbles — Person feared trapped
Photo: Historic tower collapses in central Rome (Getty Images)
On the afternoon of November 3, a historic tower, the Torre dei Conti, located in the Imperial Forums in central Rome, collapsed. The 13th-century architectural landmark partially fell during repair work, and rescuers are currently searching for a worker trapped under the debris, reports Corriere della Sera.
The collapse occurred around 11:20 AM on Piazza Corrado Ricci while repair work was underway.
According to preliminary reports, one worker, a Romanian citizen, was injured and remains trapped under the rubble. His colleagues, who were working in the upper part of the structure, were quickly evacuated.
Fire service units and specialized SAF teams, including speleologists, climbers, and water rescue specialists, arrived at the scene. They are trying to reach the injured worker through a narrow opening on the left side of the structure.
The injured man is conscious, in contact with rescuers, and assisting them during the operation. Another worker, a 64-year-old man, was taken to San Giovanni Hospital for a medical examination.
Authorities have fully cordoned off the area around the Imperial Forums and Piazza Venezia. Police, carabinieri, medical personnel, and firefighters are on site.
Historical background
The Torre dei Conti, also known as Torre Maggiore, was built in 1238 at the initiative of Richard of Conti, brother of Pope Innocent III. The original structure was faced with travertine, which was removed in the 16th century and used to build Porta Pia.
Once one of the tallest towers in Rome, it lost its upper sections due to earthquakes. Today, it stands at about 29 meters high.
Recent collapses in Ukraine
Recently, part of a multi-story building in Khmelnytskyi collapsed following an explosion. Among the victims was a child, and bodies were found under the rubble.
Earlier, an old building in central Odesa, at the corner of Kanatna Street and Nakhimov Lane, collapsed. The building, constructed in 1893, was a local architectural landmark.
The collapse occurred during repair work in the non-residential left wing of the building, which had been fenced off. No workers were injured.
