A Romanian construction worker has died following the partial collapse of a 13th-century medieval tower in central Rome, in what authorities are calling one of the most tragic restoration accidents in recent years.
The worker, identified as Octay Stroici, had been pulled alive from the rubble of the Torre dei Conti on Monday after a lengthy rescue operation, but later succumbed to his injuries in hospital early Tuesday morning.
Rescue Efforts Could Not Save Him
According to Italian news agency ANSA, Stroici remained conscious throughout the rescue and was rushed to Umberto I Hospital in critical condition.
“Resuscitation attempts were made for about an hour to save Octay Stroici,” ANSA reported, quoting hospital officials. “Despite this, spontaneous cardiac activity could not be restored,” it added. His death was pronounced at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday.
Three other workers were rescued from the scene earlier — one of them critically injured — as emergency teams worked for hours amid clouds of dust and falling debris.
Historic Tower Partially Collapses
The collapse occurred just before midday Monday while restoration works were underway on the Torre dei Conti, one of Rome’s most famous medieval landmarks located near the Colosseum and the Imperial Forum, a popular area frequented by tourists.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as part of the tower’s buttress and base gave way, sending rubble onto the nearby street and enveloping the area in thick white dust.
Authorities later confirmed that a second partial collapse occurred about an hour and a half later, further damaging the structure.
Firefighters on site managed to shield the trapped worker after the first collapse by erecting makeshift barriers — a move that officials say likely saved him from being crushed during the second incident.
“After the first collapse, our team managed to put up some protection around the trapped man, so when the second collapse occurred, he was shielded,” said Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini.
Workers Describe Close Escape
One of the workers inside the building during the first collapse told AFP that he narrowly escaped through a balcony.
“It was not safe. I just want to go home,” said Ottaviano, a 67-year-old worker covered in white dust.
The Torre dei Conti, built in 1238 by the Conti family, is a prominent structure in Rome’s ancient quarter and has undergone several restoration efforts over the centuries due to damage from earthquakes and structural wear.
Restoration Funded by EU
The tower was undergoing restoration funded by the European Union, aimed at preserving its historical architecture and removing hazardous materials such as asbestos.
According to Rome’s Directorate of Cultural Heritage, the ongoing work — launched in June 2025 — was nearing completion when the collapse occurred.
Officials said that initial assessments carried out before renovations had confirmed “necessary safety conditions” for the project to proceed. Engineers are now examining the structural integrity of the remaining sections to determine the cause of the failure.
Diplomatic Row Over Russian Comments
The incident unexpectedly sparked a diplomatic spat after Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova linked the collapse to Italy’s support for Ukraine.
In a statement posted on Telegram, Zakharova claimed:
“As long as the Italian government keeps uselessly wasting taxpayers’ money, all of Italy will collapse — from the economy to its towers.”
The remark prompted a sharp rebuke from Italian officials. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned the statement as “shameful and unacceptable”, summoning the Russian ambassador to Italy to protest Moscow’s comments.
Authorities have since sealed off the area around Torre dei Conti as investigations into the cause of the collapse continue.
