Rome medieval tower partially collapses amid renovation
A medieval tower being renovated near the Colosseum in central Rome partially collapsed, leaving one worker hospitalized with serious injuries and another trapped under the rubble.
“We are trying to get him out alive but the situation is complicated by the risk of further collapse,” fire brigade spokesman Luca Cari told Reuters of ongoing rescue efforts.
Speaking to Italian news agencies, regional president Francesco Rocca said that the worker in the hospital had no life-threatening injuries and that two other workers were slightly injured and refused treatment at the hospital.
Hundreds of tourists watched firefighters use a portable ladder to bring stretchers to the upper level of the tower.
During the rescue operation by the fire crews, another part of the tower collapsed and a debris cloud was formed.
When additional collapse occurred, firefighters on the mobile ladder quickly descended.
The 29-meter high Torre dei Conti is located near one of the tourist spots of the Eternal City.
It is located halfway down Via dei Fori Imperiali, the wide street leading from the center of Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.
There were at least two crashes, according to videos posted on social media and Reuters images.
In both cases, clouds of dust rose from the windows along with the sound of collapsing walls.
The building was still standing but showed significant internal damage.
In the news in the Italian press, it was stated that both Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli were at the scene.
The tower once housed city hall offices but has been unused since 2006 and was being worked on as part of a four-year renovation project that ends next year, according to Rome city officials.
Due to restoration work, the area around the tower was closed to pedestrians.
The building was built by Pope Paul III in the early 13th century. It was built by Innocent III for his family and was originally two stories high but was reduced in size after damage from earthquakes in the 14th and 17th centuries.
with AP
