Medieval tower partially collapses in Rome (VIDEOS)
At least one construction worker remains trapped under the rubble of the 13th-century structure, according to emergency services
The Torre dei Conti, a medieval tower located near the Colosseum in central Rome, partially collapsed on Monday, injuring three construction workers and trapping one under the rubble.
The building, which dates back to the 13th century, has not been in use since 2006 and was undergoing a four-year renovation project due to end next year. Multiple construction workers were present at the site during the incident, with one of them sustaining critical injuries and two others suffering minor injuries. Another worker ended up trapped under the collapsed structures.
“We are trying to get him out alive, but the situation is complex because of the risk of further collapses,” a fire department spokesman told Reuters.
Footage circulating online and captured immediately after the collapse started shows masonry falling off the building and one of the other walls partially collapsing. The building apparently suffered significant internal damage.
Shock in Rome as section of mediaeval landmark Torre di Conti collapses
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Parts of the tower collapsed at least twice, footage circulating online suggests. The second collapse occurred when emergency workers arrived at the scene. Firefighters were seen narrowly evading bricks falling off the building.
The tower was constructed as a fortified residence of the counts of the Segni noble family in the early 13th century. The structure was originally up to 60m (over 195 feet) tall, yet it was damaged by multiple earthquakes, which destroyed its upper floors and left it abandoned in the mid-14th century. The tower was repaired in the 17th century and reinforced with two massive external buttresses, one of which appears to have been destroyed in Monday’s collapse.