Worker Rescued Alive After Being Trapped Eleven Hours in Collapse of Medieval Tower in Rome

ROME — A 66-year-old Romanian worker, Octay Stroici, was rescued alive on Monday in Rome after spending eleven hours trapped beneath the rubble of the Tower of the Counts of Rome, a 13th-century structure located near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum that suffered a partial collapse.

Around 140 firefighters took part in the rescue operation, which ultimately succeeded in freeing the man from the debris at around 11:00 p.m.

A second man, also a Romanian national, was injured in the accident and remains hospitalized in critical condition at San Giovanni Hospital, though he is conscious.

The incident began around 11:30 a.m., when approximately nine workers were carrying out restoration work on the 30-meter-high tower. At around 12:45 p.m., while rescue efforts were already underway, a second collapse occurred.

The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the incident for possible negligence resulting in injury and disaster. The Labor Inspectorate is also participating in the inquiry. The area has been cordoned off by the Carabinieri.