Worker Dies After Rome’s Medieval Torre dei Conti Collapse

Rome — A tragic accident struck the heart of Italy’s capital after a section of the historic Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century medieval tower near the Roman Forum, partially collapsed on Monday, leaving one worker dead and several others injured.

The victim, identified as 42-year-old Romanian national Octay Stroici, was rescued after being trapped for hours beneath the rubble. Despite remaining conscious throughout the rescue operation, he succumbed to his injuries early Tuesday morning at Umberto I Hospital.

Authorities confirmed that Stroici was part of a renovation crew working on the historic structure, which had been undergoing restoration funded by the European Union since June 2025. The project included asbestos removal and structural reinforcement.

Three other workers were rescued from the site, one of them in critical condition. Firefighters said quick action prevented further casualties after a second collapse occurred about 90 minutes later.

“It was not safe. I just want to go home,” said one surviving worker, his uniform covered in white dust.

The collapse sent shockwaves through central Rome, raising concerns about the safety of ongoing restoration projects in the city’s ancient monuments. The Directorate of Cultural Heritage said early assessments had confirmed “necessary safety conditions” before work began.

The Italian government has also reacted strongly to comments from Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who controversially linked the incident to Italy’s support for Ukraine. “Shameful, unacceptable,” Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani responded.

Authorities have cordoned off the area near the Colosseum as experts assess the extent of structural damage. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse.