A medieval tower, the Torre dei Conti, crumbled in the heart of Rome on Monday, plunging rescuers into a desperate race against time. The collapse trapped a worker beneath tons of rubble, initiating an hours-long struggle for survival that ultimately ended in tragedy.
The tower, steeped in history dating back to the 13th century, had been undergoing renovation when it suddenly gave way. Initial reports indicated one worker was pinned, while others managed to escape the immediate devastation. The scene quickly transformed into a chaotic tableau of dust, debris, and mounting anxiety.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed profound sorrow, offering condolences to the family and colleagues of Octay Stroici, the worker who perished despite the valiant rescue efforts. Her statement acknowledged the “unspeakable suffering” of those left behind, a sentiment echoing throughout the city.
The rescue operation proved extraordinarily complex. As firefighters attempted to reach the trapped man through a first-floor window, the tower continued to shift and threaten further collapse. Each attempt to approach was fraught with peril, forcing rescuers to adapt their strategy repeatedly.
Early efforts involved telescopic aerial ladders, but they were quickly deemed too dangerous. A drone was deployed to assess the situation, providing crucial information as dusk began to settle over the ancient city. The precariousness of the structure demanded extreme caution.
With time running out, firefighters utilized a crane and powerful suction tubes to carefully remove rubble from a second-floor window. Faint “signs of life” spurred them onward, and they managed to provide some protective covering during a particularly risky attempt to reach the worker.
Hours into the operation, the man was finally extracted, conscious but critically injured. He was carefully loaded onto a telescopic ladder and then transferred to a stretcher before being rushed to a hospital. Hundreds of onlookers, including tourists, watched with bated breath as the drama unfolded.
Another worker, a 64-year-old man, sustained critical injuries and was also hospitalized. Three others escaped with their lives, a stark reminder of the tower’s sudden and violent collapse. The rescue teams faced immense risks with each passing moment.
The Torre dei Conti, once a residence for the family of Pope Innocent III, had suffered damage in a 1349 earthquake and subsequent collapses in the 17th century. Though it once housed city hall offices, the building had remained unused since 2006, a silent sentinel near the Colosseum.
Federico Mollicone, chairman of the parliamentary culture committee, highlighted the bravery of the firefighters who risked their lives during the rescue. His words underscored the immense danger faced by those attempting to save the trapped worker, and the collective worry that gripped the city.
