Rome, Italy – November 3, 2025 – A dramatic partial collapse of the 13th-century Torre dei Conti, a towering medieval landmark nestled near the Imperial Forums and mere steps from the Colosseum, sent shockwaves through the Eternal City on Monday morning. The incident, occurring amid ongoing EU-funded restoration works, critically injured one worker and left another trapped beneath tons of rubble for hours, as firefighters battled instability and a second collapse that engulfed rescuers in dust.
The first failure struck just after 11:30 a.m. local time (10:30 GMT), when a section of the tower's façade on the side facing Via Cavour suddenly gave way. Eyewitnesses described a thunderous roar followed by a massive white plume of dust that blanketed Largo Corrado Ricci, a bustling thoroughfare packed with tourists. Debris rained onto the street below, forcing pedestrians to flee in panic. "It was like an explosion – everything shook, and then this huge cloud swallowed the area," recounted Giorgia, owner of a nearby bar who rushed outside upon hearing the boom.
At the moment of collapse, eleven workers were on site as part of a multi-year renovation project financed by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with nearly €7 million allocated to address longstanding structural vulnerabilities. The tower, originally commissioned in 1238 by Riccardo Conti – brother of Pope Innocent III – as a fortified family residence, has endured centuries of wear. Historical records note severe damage from a 1348 earthquake that reduced its height from over 50 meters to the current 29 meters, followed by further losses in the 17th century. Recent inspections had flagged "widespread disintegration" of masonry, root penetration from vegetation, and erosion exacerbated by urban changes like the opening of Via dei Fori Imperiali.
Firefighters from the Vigili del Fuoco arrived within minutes, deploying three operational teams, two ladder trucks, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) specialists, and a massive debris-aspirating vehicle dubbed "Elephant." Drones were flown into the tower's upper windows to map internal damage, while cranes hoisted rescuers to precarious perches. Initial reports confirmed four workers were extracted: three from scaffolding high atop the structure via ladder trucks, and one from ground-level rubble. A 64-year-old man suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and was rushed to San Giovanni Hospital in critical condition, coded red. Two others sustained minor injuries but refused hospitalization, while a fifth remained pinned on an upper floor.
Rome's prefect, Lamberto Giannini, briefed reporters on site: "The trapped worker has given signs of life and responded to calls – he's vigilant and cooperating. We've established contact and provided protective coverings, but this is an extremely complex operation with enormous risks to rescuers." Giannini warned of potential further collapses, predicting efforts could extend through the night.
Compounding the crisis, a second partial collapse erupted around 12:50 p.m., just as firefighters neared the trapped man. Video footage captured the terrifying moment: internal floors imploded, hurling bricks and dust in a fresh avalanche that briefly buried a rescue team. Miraculously, all firefighters emerged unharmed, dusted white but resolute. "We were hit by the debris cloud, but our protocols saved us," a spokesperson later stated. The area was fully cordoned off, with Via dei Fori Imperiali closed to traffic and nearby buildings evacuated as a precaution.
Among the survivors was 67-year-old Ottaviano, who escaped via a balcony moments before the façade crumbled. Covered in powdery residue, he told AFP: "It wasn't safe up there. Everything started shaking – I just ran for the balcony and jumped to safety. I just want to go home." His account underscored pre-existing concerns; workers had reportedly noticed deep drilling into walls in recent weeks, raising questions about the renovation's methods.
High-profile officials descended on the scene, including Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who observed silently amid the chaos. President of the Lazio Region, Francesco Rocca, expressed solidarity: "Our thoughts are with the gravely injured worker and all involved. We thank the firefighters and medics for their heroism in this nightmare scenario."
By late afternoon, rescuers made breakthrough contact around 4:30 p.m., exchanging words with the trapped man through a narrow gap. Aspirators sucked away debris grain by grain, while structural engineers monitored vibrations. As dusk fell, floodlights illuminated the site, with operations ongoing into the evening. Firefighters posted updates: "Complex rescue continues – we're doing everything to bring him out safely."
Prosecutors swiftly opened an investigation for negligent injury and culpable disaster, seizing the site and appointing experts to examine contracts, safety protocols, and the collapse's trigger. Deputy prosecutors Mario Dovinola and Antonino Di Maio will probe whether cost-cutting, rushed timelines under PNRR deadlines, or overlooked instabilities played a role. Carabinieri workplace safety units joined the inquiry.
The Torre dei Conti, once dubbed "Turris illa toto orbe unica" by poet Francesco Petrarch for its unparalleled grandeur, stands as a rare survivor of Rome's medieval tower-houses. Built atop an ancient temple to the goddess Tellus, it symbolized papal power before earthquakes humbled it. Today's events have reignited debates on Italy's heritage preservation: With billions in EU recovery funds flowing to cultural sites, critics question oversight amid a boom in restorations.
Tourists and locals gathered in stunned crowds, cordoned back by police. "I've never seen anything like this in central Rome – it's heartbreaking," said Caterina, a lifelong resident. British visitors Sue and her husband, who had passed the site earlier, added: "They were drilling deeply; we wondered what was happening. Then we came back to this."
In a bizarre international twist, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova seized on the tragedy, posting: "As long as Italy wastes taxpayer money on Ukraine, it will collapse – from economy to towers." The quip drew swift rebuke from Italy's Foreign Ministry, which summoned Russia's ambassador and condemned the remarks as "squalid and offensive." Zakharova's provocation highlighted geopolitical tensions but did little to dim the focus on the human drama unfolding beneath the ancient stones.
As night enveloped the forums, the Torre dei Conti – scarred but standing – became a beacon of resilience and peril. Rescuers vowed not to rest until the last worker was free, a poignant reminder that even Rome's eternal monuments demand vigilant care. Updates continue as the city holds its breath.
