In a harrowing incident in the heart of Rome, firefighters tirelessly battled to rescue a worker who was trapped for several hours beneath the rubble of a medieval tower that partially collapsed during renovation on Monday. The collapse critically injured another worker, highlighting the dangers associated with construction in historic areas.
The rescue operation was marked by significant challenges as the structure continued to give way while firefighters attempted to reach the trapped worker. Firefighters faced a perilous situation, retreating on telescopic aerial ladders amidst a cloud of smoke and debris. Initial attempts to access the worker through a first-floor window were thwarted, leading to the deployment of a drone to assist in the operation.
According to firefighter spokesman Luca Cari, three workers were successfully rescued unharmed shortly after the midday collapse. However, one worker was hospitalized in critical condition, and there was no immediate update on his status. Thankfully, no firefighters were injured during the ongoing rescue efforts.
Rome's top law enforcement official, Prefect Lamberto Giannini, reported “signs of life” from the trapped worker. Firefighters managed to provide him with some protective cover during an earlier rescue attempt. Giannini described the situation as “very complex” and noted that additional equipment was being brought in to aid the rescue. “It will be a very long operation. We must try to save this person while mitigating the enormous risks to the people who are trying to save him,” he stated to reporters.
As hundreds of tourists gathered to witness the unfolding drama, firefighters utilized a mobile ladder to bring a stretcher to the upper level of the Torre dei Conti during their initial rescue attempt. Suddenly, another part of the structure collapsed, sending debris into the air and forcing firefighters to quickly descend the ladder to safety.
Among the onlookers was Queen Paglinawan, who was working at a nearby gelato parlor. “I was working and then I heard some loud noises, and then I saw the tower collapse in a diagonal way,” said the 27-year-old, as she observed yet another potential collapse in the background.
Another eyewitness, Viktoria Braeu, an 18-year-old German student, recounted her experience: “We were just at the Colosseum and were walking to get some food. We thought it was probably not long until it would go down, and then it just started erupting.”
The Torre dei Conti holds significant historical value, having been built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a residence for his family. The tower has faced structural challenges over the centuries, including damage from a 1349 earthquake and subsequent collapses in the 17th century.
Both Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli were present at the scene, though they did not address reporters. “The firefighters risked their lives with the second collapse. We are worried for the worker who remains trapped,” expressed Federico Mollicone, chairman of the parliamentary culture committee, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
