Partial collapse of Rome’s medieval Torre dei Conti leaves Romanian worker critically injured
Rome, Italy (3 November 2025) – A major accident occurred on Monday in the heart of Rome, where part of the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century medieval tower, collapsed during renovation work, injuring several workers — including a Romanian man who remains in critical condition.
The Torre dei Conti, built in 1238 under Pope Innocent III as a residence for his family, is one of the most iconic medieval landmarks in the Italian capital. Located just steps from the Roman Forum, the site is a popular tourist attraction, and hundreds of visitors nearby witnessed the dramatic collapse and subsequent rescue efforts.
Worker trapped under debris rescued in critical condition
According to reports from Corriere della Sera and AP News, four workers were inside the structure when the tower partially gave way. Three were rescued unharmed, while one worker — a Romanian citizen — was trapped under the rubble. Firefighters managed to free him after a difficult operation, and he was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The rescue was complicated by a second partial collapse that occurred during the intervention, sending a thick cloud of dust into the air and forcing crews to retreat temporarily. Rescue teams later resumed operations using drones to assess structural stability before re-entering the site.
Historic structure long plagued by instability
The Torre dei Conti has a long history of structural damage. Originally standing over 50 meters tall, the tower was severely affected by the 1349 earthquake, which caused major sections to collapse. Over the centuries, it suffered further degradation and partial collapses, notably in the 17th century. Despite repeated restorations, it has remained a fragile yet enduring symbol of medieval Rome.
City officials confirmed that the building was undergoing extensive restoration work aimed at strengthening its foundations and stabilizing its walls when the accident occurred.
Authorities launch investigation into the collapse
Rome’s Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italy’s Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli arrived at the scene to assess the situation and express solidarity with the injured workers. Authorities have opened an official investigation to determine the precise causes of the collapse and whether safety violations or structural negligence contributed to the incident.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic. “We heard two loud booms, then saw the tower tilt and a section crumble,” said a nearby gelato shop employee, calling the event “apocalyptic.”
Renewed scrutiny over heritage preservation
The incident has reignited debate in Italy over the state of the country’s historical monuments and the safety standards of restoration projects in Rome. Experts have long warned that many medieval and Renaissance structures require urgent reinforcement amid growing environmental and seismic risks.
For now, the area around the Torre dei Conti remains cordoned off as engineers assess whether the rest of the structure is at risk of further collapse.
