ROME: A medieval tower in central Rome that was under renovation partially collapsed on Monday, with one worker believed to be trapped alive under rubble, authorities said.

Part of the Torre dei Conti collapsed just after 11:30 am (1030 GMT), sending rubble into the street and a thick white cloud of dust into the air.

“It’s a very complex situation for the firefighters because there is a person trapped inside,” Rome Prefect Lamberto Giannini said.

“There are signs — we don’t know the condition — but there are signs that he is still alive,” he said.

The tower is situated in a bustling area, just off the Imperial Forum and near the Colosseum, Italy’s most popular tourist attraction.

Three workers inside the tower were evacuated, with one taken to the hospital in critical condition, a firefighter spokesman said.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli were present as firefighters cordoned off the street and moved back crowds.

A second partial collapse of the tower about one and a half hours later sent up further billowing clouds of dust.

After the first collapse, firefighters managed to “put up some protection” around the trapped man, so when the second collapse occurred, “they obviously shielded him”, Giannini said.

With dust still in the air, firefighters used cranes to reach tower windows, while a drone entered through another window for an inspection.

One worker inside at the time of the first collapse said he escaped from a balcony.

“It was not safe. I want to go home,” said the man, white dust covering his uniform, who gave his name as Ottaviano and his age as 67.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2025