Roman’s historic 13th-century tower near the Colosseum partially collapsed during renovation, injuring workers and prompting a major emergency response.
A major rescue operation unfolded in central Rome on Tuesday November 11, 2025, after part of the Torre dei Conti, a landmark medieval tower located steps from the Colosseum, suddenly collapsed during renovation works. The incident left one worker seriously injured and several others trapped beneath scaffolding and debris, according to Italian emergency officials.
Authorities said the structure gave way without warning while contractors were carrying out extensive restoration funded under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The project was designed to stabilize the 29-metre tower, which has long shown visible signs of structural decay.
Firefighters rushed to the site within minutes, deploying ladder trucks, technical rescue teams and specialist units trained for structural emergencies. Three workers who were trapped on the external scaffolding were pulled to safety after crews used an elevated ladder platform to reach them. Two sustained minor injuries, while a third was transported to a nearby hospital with more serious trauma.
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Earlier, national fire service spokesperson Luca Cari told Reuters that teams were working carefully to reach another person believed to be trapped under rubble at the base of the tower. Officials later confirmed that all firefighters involved in the operation remained unharmed, even after a secondary structural movement briefly halted rescue efforts.
Footage shared on Italian social media channels showed a massive cloud of dust rising above the ancient site, with fragments of stone and scaffolding collapsing into the narrow street below. Rome’s fire brigade said multiple city blocks were cordoned off as engineers assessed the stability of the remaining tower segment.
The Torre dei Conti, built in 1238 under Pope Innocent III as a fortified residence for his family, is one of the few surviving medieval towers in Rome’s historic center. Once towering over the city at nearly 50 meters before centuries of damage reduced its height, it has endured earthquakes, neglect and environmental wear.
Restoration planning documents by Roma Si Transforma had warned that the tower’s outer walls suffered “serious problems,” including crumbling masonry, invasive vegetation and damage from decades of vandalism. The interior, inspectors reported, was in “a general state of decay,” with collapsed ceilings and deteriorating decorative features.
The ongoing renovation was slated for completion in 2026, but city officials said an immediate structural review would determine whether the project can continue — and what caused the sudden collapse of one of Rome’s most historic medieval towers.