Worker trapped under collapsed tower in Rome dies, local media says
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Firefighters at work after the partial collapse of a medieval tower in Rome on Nov 3.
PHOTO: AFP
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- A Romanian worker trapped in a collapsed medieval tower in Rome on November 3 has died after being rescued and hospitalised.
- Parts of the 29-metre-high Torre dei Conti collapsed twice, causing significant internal damage during EU-funded renovation work.
- The construction site has been seized; the tower, intended as a museum, was undergoing a four-year restoration project after disuse since 2006.
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ROME - A Romanian worker trapped for hours under rubble in Rome on Nov 3 following the partial collapse of a mediaeval tower near the Colosseum has died, local media reported.
The man was rescued by emergency services and taken to hospital in a serious condition, Rome police chief Lamberto Giannini had previously said.
Parts of the 29m-high Torre dei Conti crashed to the ground
The first took place at around 1030 GMT, the second about 90 minutes later.
Clouds of dust came billowing out of the windows, along with the sound of collapsing masonry.
The second incident took place while firefighters were working on the structure with aerial ladders.
None of the firefighters were injured.
The authorities have seized the construction site, Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported.
Tower built by 13th-century pope
The tower, which was due to be converted into a museum and conference space, is located halfway along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the broad avenue that leads from central Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.
The building was still standing but showing significant internal damage.
It once housed city hall offices but has not been in use since 2006 and was being worked on as part of a four-year renovation project due to end next year, according to Rome city authorities.
The tower was due to be converted into a museum and conference space.
PHOTO: AFP
Due to the EU-funded restoration work, the area around the tower was closed off to pedestrians.
The building was erected by Pope Innocent III for his family in the early 13th century and was originally twice as high, but was scaled down after damage from earthquakes in the 14th and 17th centuries. REUTERS
