A tragic accident occurred in the heart of Rome when a worker was found dead after being trapped in the rubble of a medieval tower. The individual, identified as Octav Stroici, aged 66, was rescued nearly twelve hours after part of the Torre dei Conti collapsed. This incident took place near the iconic Roman Forum and within close proximity to the Colosseum.
According to hospital officials, Stroici was pulled from the debris at approximately 23:00 local time (22:00 GMT). Unfortunately, during the ambulance transport, his heart stopped, and despite the best efforts of medical staff at the hospital, they were unable to save him. The Romanian foreign ministry confirmed that Stroici was a Romanian national, along with another worker who was among the three individuals rescued from the site.
The rescue operation was initially hailed as an exceptional achievement by the firefighters who worked tirelessly throughout the night. They utilized advanced technology, including drones and rubble clearers, to navigate the precarious situation, all while assessing the risk of further collapse of the already fragile tower. Remarkably, Stroici remained conscious and communicated with emergency personnel during the rescue efforts. His wife was present at the scene, desperately hoping for his safe return.
The Romanian foreign ministry expressed its condolences, stating, "Together with his family, we held on to hope until the very last moment." Stroici was engaged in conservation work on the medieval tower, located just off the bustling Via dei Fori Imperiali, a major thoroughfare in Rome that attracts countless tourists each year. It is worth noting that the Torre dei Conti had been empty and abandoned for several years prior to this incident.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, the Rome Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse. The initial structure gave way around 11:20 AM on Monday, and the rescue efforts faced an additional setback when a second section of the 29-meter (90-foot) high tower began to crumble approximately 90 minutes later. As debris fell, it created a significant cloud of dust, further complicating the rescue efforts.
Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini described the situation as "very complex." Following the first collapse, firefighters had managed to create protective barriers around Stroici, ensuring that he was shielded during the subsequent collapse. Giannini emphasized that the extended duration of the rescue operation was due to the need to mitigate the enormous risks faced by the rescue teams.
Reports indicate that one firefighter sustained an eye injury and was taken to the hospital, but fortunately, the remaining team members emerged unharmed. They resumed their search and rescue operations shortly after. A police chief assured the public that there was no imminent danger of the tower disintegrating further, allowing the rescue to continue.
In a heartfelt message on social media platform X, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni conveyed her thoughts and deepest sympathies to Stroici and his family, expressing hope for a positive outcome amidst the tragedy. This incident has not only highlighted the dangers faced by construction workers but also the importance of safety measures during conservation efforts in historic sites.
