A medieval tower being renovated in the heart of Rome partially collapsed twice on Monday, Nov. 3, trapping a worker in the rubble, authorities said. A part of the facade of the Torre dei Conti collapsed late in the morning, sending debris into the street and a plume of dust into the air.
The tower is located in a very touristy area of the capital, near the Imperial Forums and the Colosseum. “It is a very complex situation for firefighters because there is a person trapped inside,” Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini told reporters.
“There are indications that he is still alive, but we do not know his condition,” he added.
According to the Italian news agency Ansa, the trapped worker “is conscious,” but “his state of health is worrying.” Three other workers could be evacuated, one of them in critical condition, a fire brigade spokesperson told AFP.
Another part of the tower, about thirty meters high, collapsed two hours later in a cloud of dust and debris, an AFP journalist confirmed.
“Very long operation”
After the first collapse, firefighters managed to “put protection” around the trapped man, so during the second collapse “they obviously protected him,” Lamberto Giannini said.
With dust still hanging in the air, firefighters used cranes to reach the tower’s windows, while a drone entered through another window to conduct an inspection.
“It will be a very long operation because we have to try to save the person, but also try to reduce the enormous risks faced by the people who try to carry out the rescue,” the prefect continued.
Ottaviano, 67, a worker present in the building when it collapsed, told AFP he had escaped through a balcony. “It wasn’t safe. I just want to go home,” he said, his clothes still covered in dust. The Torre dei Conti, which dates back to the early 13th century, is being restored with funds from the European Union.
Source: BFM TV
