A medieval tower in central Rome partially collapsed twice during renovations, injuring one worker and trapping another.
The first collapse occurred at Torre dei Conti near the Roman Forum just after 11:30 a.m. local time. Falling debris struck a 64-year-old worker, who was taken to San Giovanni hospital in critical condition. However, Francesco Rocca, president of the Lazio region, later stated that his injuries were not life-threatening.
As hundreds of tourists and bystanders watched, firefighters rescued three other workers from scaffolding on the 29-meter-high tower. During the rescue operation around 1 p.m., an internal section of the tower gave way, leaving one worker stranded on an upper floor.
Witnesses described hearing a loud bang and seeing clouds of dust. One person told Corriere della Sera, “I saw a worker fall.”
The area around the Forum and Piazza Venezia, usually crowded with tourists and traffic, has been closed off. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, and Italy’s culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, visited the site.
Built in the 13th century by Richard Conti, brother of Pope Innocent III, the Torre dei Conti served as a fortified family residence. It was damaged in an earthquake in 1349 and experienced previous collapses in the 17th century.
The restoration project is funded by the EU’s post-pandemic recovery fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about the incident involving the collapse of a medieval tower in Rome
General Information
1 What exactly happened in Rome
A section of a medieval tower part of the Aurelian Walls collapsed at a worksite One construction worker was trapped in the rubble and another was injured
2 Where did this happen
The collapse occurred on Viale di Porta Ardeatina a major road in Rome near the ancient city walls
3 When did the tower collapse
The incident happened on the morning of May 23 2024
About the People Involved
4 What happened to the trapped worker
Emergency services successfully rescued the trapped worker He was conscious and speaking when pulled from the rubble and was transported to the hospital for treatment
5 How is the other injured worker
The second worker was also taken to the hospital Reports indicate his injuries were not lifethreatening
6 Were any members of the public hurt
Fortunately no The collapse happened within a secured construction site so the public was not at risk
About the Structure and Cause
7 What was this tower
It was a medieval tower known as a bastion that was part of the historic Aurelian Walls which were originally built in the 3rd century AD to protect ancient Rome
8 Why did the tower collapse
An official investigation is underway The initial focus is on the stability of the structure and the construction work that was being performed on it at the time
9 Was the tower unstable before the work began
Its common for ancient structures to require ongoing maintenance The work was likely being done to address preexisting stability issues but the collapse suggests something went wrong during the intervention
Broader Implications and Context
10 Is this a common problem with ancient structures in Rome
While collapses of this scale are rare maintaining Romes vast archaeological heritage is a constant and enormous challenge Age weather and urban stress make preservation a difficult task
11 What happens now to the rest of the tower and the wall
The area has been cordoned off Engineers and archaeologists will first secure the site to prevent further collapse and then assess the damage to determine if and how it can be repaired
