Restoration
worker succumbs to injuries after partial collapse of the 13th-century Torre
dei Conti near the Colosseum.
Rome,
Italy — November 4, 2025 | A Romanian construction worker has
died after being rescued from the rubble of the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century
medieval tower in central Rome, which partially collapsed on Monday morning
during EU-funded restoration works. The man, identified as Octay Stroici, was
pulled out after several hours trapped beneath debris but died shortly after
reaching the hospital, authorities confirmed.
Context
and Rescue Operation
Two
sections of the 29-metre-high Torre dei Conti, located between the Roman Forum
and the Colosseum, collapsed in two stages — first around 11:30 a.m. local
time, and again about 90 minutes later.
According
to Rome’s fire brigade, the second collapse occurred while firefighters were
already on the scene conducting the rescue operation with aerial ladders and
drones.
“The rescue operation took a long time because every time a part of the worker’s body was freed, further collapses occurred, burying him again under the rubble,”
said
Rome’s police chief Lamberto Giannini, speaking to Italian media shortly after
the rescue.
Stroici
was reportedly conscious during the extraction, though in critical condition. A
second Romanian worker suffered serious head injuries, while two others
sustained minor wounds and declined hospital treatment.
Reactions
and Condolences
Italy’s
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences shortly after midnight,
saying:
“I express deep sorrow and condolences, on behalf of myself and the government, for the tragic loss of Octay Stroici… We are close to his family and colleagues at this time of unspeakable suffering.”
Rome’s
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli visited the site,
which was immediately cordoned off due to safety risks and ongoing structural
instability.
Eyewitness
Accounts
Witnesses
in the busy Piazza Venezia and Forum area described the collapse as resembling
an earthquake, with clouds of dust filling the air.
Elena,
an employee at a nearby pub, recalled:
“It felt a bit like an earthquake. I saw a man trying to get out by walking down the scaffolding — I didn’t realize people were inside working on it.”
Tourists
and local residents reported two loud bangs and vibrations across the
neighborhood. Some workers managed to escape through balconies moments before
the second collapse.
Historical
and Structural Background
The
Torre dei Conti, also known as the Tower of the Counts, was built in 1203 by
Richard Conti, brother of Pope Innocent III, as a fortified residence for the
influential Conti family.
It
suffered significant damage in the 1349 earthquake and later partial collapses
in the 17th century.
The
tower has been undergoing stabilization works financed by the EU’s
post-pandemic recovery fund, part of Italy’s broader plan to secure heritage
sites threatened by age and seismic risk.
Broader
Context: EU-Funded Restoration and Safety Oversight
Italy
has received billions of euros in EU recovery funds earmarked for cultural
heritage restoration and infrastructure safety.
However,
unions and safety experts have repeatedly warned that accelerated project
deadlines under the EU’s NextGenerationEU plan could increase workplace risks.
According
to INAIL, Italy’s national workplace safety agency, more than 900 workplace
deaths were recorded nationwide in 2024, marking a 4% rise compared to the
previous year.
Ongoing
Investigation
Authorities
have launched an investigation into the causes of the collapse, including
potential structural weaknesses, equipment failure, and safety compliance
during renovation.
Prosecutors
are also expected to question the restoration contractors and review permits
and inspection logs linked to the EU-funded works.
The
tragedy at the Torre dei Conti highlights the fragile balance between
preserving Italy’s architectural heritage and ensuring worker safety amid a
surge in restoration projects.
Experts warn that safeguarding history must not come at the cost of human life — a reminder echoed in the heart of ancient Rome, where centuries of legacy and modern labor risks collide.
This
article was written by Maria Perez | Editor-in-Chief
Publication
date: 04/11/2025
Reports from Agence France-Presse, Reuters, Associated Press, and official statements from the Italian government and Rome’s fire department.