Worker dies after Rome’s Torre dei Conti tower collapse

Authorities stated that the man remained conscious throughout the rescue operation, which lasted several hours, before being transported to hospital in a critical condition. “Despite about an hour of resuscitation attempts, spontaneous cardiac activity could not be restored,” reported the Italian news agency, citing medical staff.

Tower collapse near the Colosseum

The Torre dei Conti, a historic 13th-century structure near Rome’s Imperial Forum and Colosseum, was undergoing restoration funded by the European Union when part of it collapsed late on Monday morning. The fall sent debris and thick clouds of white dust into surrounding streets, prompting an immediate emergency response.

Three other workers were rescued from the site, with one of them remaining in critical condition, according to the fire service. A second partial collapse occurred approximately 90 minutes later, despite firefighters having erected protective barriers around the trapped worker, which shielded him from further harm during that phase.

One survivor, identified only as Ottaviano, aged 67, described the terrifying moment: “It was not safe. I just want to go home,” he said, covered in white dust after escaping from a balcony.

Investigation into restoration works

According to Rome’s Directorate of Cultural Heritage, the collapse affected a buttress, part of the tower’s base, stairwell, and roof. The tower, built in the early 1200s, had been under restoration since June 2025, with work including asbestos removal reportedly nearing completion. Officials stated that earlier inspections had confirmed the site met “necessary safety conditions” before work began.

An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the collapse, with a focus on the tower's structural integrity and the restoration procedures conducted by the contractors.