Worker dies after Rome’s medieval Torre dei Conti collapse

A Romanian construction worker trapped under the rubble of a partially collapsed medieval tower in central Rome has died in hospital, officials said.

Octay Stroici, who was pulled from the wreckage of the 13th-century Torre dei Conti late Monday, was taken to Umberto I Hospital in serious condition but died hours later.

“Resuscitation attempts were made for about an hour to save Octay Stroici,” Italy’s ANSA news agency reported, citing hospital staff. “Despite this, spontaneous cardiac activity could not be restored,” doctors said, confirming his death at 12:20am on Tuesday (23:20 GMT).

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences, calling Stroici’s death a “tragic loss.”

“We are close to his family and colleagues at this time of unspeakable suffering,” she said in a statement.

Stroici had been working on the €6.9m ($7.9m) restoration of the 29-metre (95-foot) tower, located just off the Imperial Forum near the Colosseum, when part of the structure gave way around midday on Monday. The collapse sent dust and debris pouring into the street and trapped the worker under tonnes of rubble.

Firefighters battled through the evening to reach him, using cranes, ladders, and even giant suction tubes to remove debris.

Three other workers were rescued unharmed, while another, aged 64, remains in hospital with serious injuries. No firefighters were hurt.

The Torre dei Conti, built in 1238 by Pope Innocent III for his family, has a long history of collapses, including one caused by an earthquake in 1349. Closed since 2007, it has been undergoing restoration work involving structural reinforcement and plans for a small museum.

Italian officials said stability tests were conducted before work began in June, confirming the tower’s safety at the time.