Romanian Worker Dies After Tower Collapse Near Colosseum in Rome
- SAUDI ARABIA BREAKING NEWS
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
ROME, November 4 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – A Romanian construction worker trapped for hours under the rubble of a partially collapsed medieval tower in central Rome has died, Italian and Romanian authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The 66-year-old worker, identified as Octav Stroici, was pulled from the debris of the 29-metre Torre dei Conti after an 11-hour rescue operation but was in cardiac arrest upon arrival at the hospital and was pronounced dead early Tuesday, the hospital said.
The collapse occurred around 1030 GMT on Monday near the Colosseum, with a second structural failure taking place 90 minutes later while firefighters were attempting the rescue. The second incident left no rescuers injured.
A second Romanian worker was hospitalized with serious head injuries, while two others sustained minor injuries and declined further treatment.
Authorities said the tower, which dates back to the early 13th century and was being restored for conversion into a museum and conference space, showed “significant internal damage” but remains standing. The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into possible manslaughter, negligence, and serious injury.
The €7 million EU-funded restoration project had closed off the area to pedestrians. The building had been out of use since 2006 and was undergoing a four-year renovation due for completion next year.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed condolences, while Romania’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Stroici’s death in a statement, noting that he was working under EU-funded restoration works.
Fatal workplace accidents remain a recurring issue in Italy, with 575 deaths recorded in the first nine months of 2025, according to state agency INAIL.
The Torre dei Conti was commissioned by Pope Innocent III and originally stood twice its current height before being partially destroyed by earthquakes in the 14th and 17th centuries.
