A 66-year-old man has died after being trapped under the rubble of a collapsed medieval tower just metres away from the Colosseum. Octay Stroici, a Romanian national who was working on the renovations of the Torre dei Conti tower in Rome, was stuck under the debris for 11 hours as rescue workers tried to free him and his colleagues.
The 13th-century tower in the Italian capital’s Imperial Forum collapsed shortly after 11am local time (10am GMT) during renovation works after being left unused for the past two decades. The rescue attempt involved more than 140 firefighters, which lasted over multiple hours as several collapses reset their efforts. Octay reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while in the ambulance on his way to the hospital shortly after he was freed.
According to yesterday’s reports, a 64-year-old worker was also rushed to the hospital after a head injury, although he is not believed to be in a life-threatening situation. Two more people hit by the falling rubble also sustained injuries, but were treated on site.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni opened an investigation into the incident and has expressed her condolences to Octay’s family.
In a statement from her office released overnight, it reads: “On behalf of myself and the government, I express my deepest sorrow and condolences for the tragic death of Octay Stroici, the worker who fell victim to the collapse of the Torre dei Conti in Rome.
“Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this time of unspeakable grief. I would like to thank once again the rescue workers and all those who worked tirelessly and courageously to try to save his life.”
The Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli also visited the scene as the rescue efforts were underway.
Videos circling online show a massive dust cloud being cast into the air as the tower collapses and crashes to the floor. The building itself is more than 700 years old, having been built for Pope Innocent III for his family.
The collapse avoided many pedestrians on the popular walkway that leads to the Colosseum, as it was closed off for the construction work.