rome
AP
—
Firefighters finally succeeded in rescuing a worker from beneath the rubble late Monday inside a medieval tower that partially collapsed during renovation work in the center of Italy’s capital, but the joy of the rescue proved short-lived.
The man could not bear the trauma he had received and died soon after.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement shortly after midnight: “On behalf of myself and the government, I would like to express my deep sadness and condolences over the tragic death of Oktai Stroici, a worker who died in the collapse of the Torre dei Conti in Rome.” “Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this time of indescribable pain.”
Footage shown on local television showed three rescue workers lifting the man onto a retractable aerial ladder before descending and carrying him on a stretcher into an ambulance. His condition was not immediately clear, but Adriano de Acutis, the general commander of Rome’s fire brigade, told state TV channel RAI that he was conscious.
Rome Governor Lamberto Giannini told reporters at the time: “Since his symptoms seemed serious, we decided to test him and he was immediately taken to the hospital.”
Rescue workers faced a complex challenge as they tried to use first-floor windows to gain access to the trapped workers. However, as buildings continued to collapse, they were forced to retreat amidst a cloud of rubble. Another approach using two ladders was also called off and a drone was sent in its place.
As dusk approached, firefighters on cranes used giant tubes to suck out debris from second-story windows. They continued working until late at night.
“The operation took a long time because each time a part of the body was released, more debris covered it,” Giannini said.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri earlier told reporters that officials were speaking with rescue workers while using oxygen masks. He added that rescue workers were working with great care on a “very delicate rescue operation” to avoid further collapse.
Firefighter spokesman Luca Cali said three workers were rescued unharmed after the first incident at noon. Another worker, 64, was hospitalized in serious condition. RAI reported that he was conscious and had a broken nose.
No firefighters were injured in the ensuing operation.
The Tower of Conti was built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a family residence. The tower was damaged in an earthquake in 1349 and then collapsed in the 17th century.
During the initial rescue operation, hundreds of tourists gathered to watch firefighters use mobile ladders to carry stretchers to the top of Conti’s tower. Suddenly, another part of the building collapsed, raising a cloud of debris and forcing firefighters to scramble down the mountain.
The first collapse struck the central buttress on the south side of the building, causing the sloping foundation below to fall. Heritage officials said in a statement that the second damage was to the stairwell and part of the roof.
Queen Pagli Nawan, 27, was serving customers at the gelato parlor next door when the tower first began to collapse.
“As I was working, I heard something falling, and then I saw the tower collapse diagonally,” Paglinawan told The Associated Press as more rubble fell.
The tower, which has been closed since 2007, is undergoing a 6.9 million euro (about $8 million) restoration, including conservation work, the installation of electrical, lighting and water systems, and the creation of a new museum dedicated to the latest phase of the Roman Imperial Forum, officials said.
Before the latest phase began in June, “structural surveys and load tests were conducted to verify the stability of the structure and the necessary safety conditions were confirmed” to proceed with the work, which includes asbestos removal, officials said. The current construction, which cost 400,000 euros ($460,000), is almost complete.
According to Italian media, Italian prosecutors arrived at the scene while rescue operations were underway and are investigating the incident on suspicion of negligent injury and negligent injury. In Italy, it is common for investigations to begin while a case is ongoing and before a suspect has been identified.
German student Victoria Blau had just finished a tour of the nearby Colosseum and was passing by the scene during the initial rescue efforts by firefighters.
“And we thought, ‘Maybe it won’t be long until the water subsides,’ and then the eruption started,” said Blau, 18.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Meloni expressed hope that the rescue would be successful.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are currently fighting for their lives under the rubble and their families. I sincerely hope that this tragedy will lead to a positive outcome,” Meloni said in a statement.
“I would like to thank all the law enforcement officers, firefighters, and rescue workers who intervened with courage, professionalism, and dedication in this extremely difficult situation.”
