Overview
- The 13th-century tower near the Roman Forum and Colosseum partially collapsed during renovation, and the worker trapped for hours later died after hospital arrival, according to local reports.
- Firefighters reported three other workers were evacuated, including one in critical condition, after a second partial collapse complicated the rescue.
- Authorities said the trapped worker had been conscious during the operation and was of Romanian nationality, as confirmed by Romania’s foreign ministry.
- City cultural-heritage officials said the nearly finished, EU/PNRR-funded project had passed pre-work safety analyses, a point now under prosecutorial review for potential negligence.
- Italy summoned the Russian ambassador after spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mocked the incident in a Ukraine-related post, drawing condemnation from Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.