Video shows the building collapsing near the Roman Forum in the Italian capital of Rome on Monday
A rescue operation is ongoing to free a worker who remains trapped in a medieval tower in the heart of Italy’s capital, after it partially collapsed during renovations.
During the rescue attempt, another part of the structure partially collapsed, sending up a cloud of debris and forcing firefighters to quickly retreat.
“This person was already previously contacted by the firefighters inside, but unfortunately, there was a new collapse,” said the prefect of Rome, Lamberto Giannini.
“Nobody among the firefighters was injured, but more rubble fell down. The person was responsive, we are confident also because during the first part of the rescue firefighters managed to put several protections that protected him from the second collapse,” he added.
Giannini said the rescue operation was complex because of the need to mitigate risks for the rescuers.
“We hope it will be successful, but it is not easy,” he said.
Hundreds of tourists watched as firefighters used a mobile ladder to bring a stretcher to the upper level of the Torre dei Conti to rescue the worker who remained trapped.
Firefighters confirmed that the one remaining worker remained trapped hours after the initial collapse, that a rescued worker was being treated in critical condition and that another three workers were rescued unharmed.
The initial collapse happened some time before noon, and did not appear to involve any bystanders.
President of the cultural heritage parliamentary committee, Federico Mollicone, also at the scene, told reporters that “the firefighters are working with a heroic attitude, they risked a lot with the second collapse.”
The Torre dei Conti was built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a residence for his family.
The tower was damaged in a 1349 earthquake and suffered subsequent collapses in the 17th century.
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