Overview
- The 13th‑century tower partially failed around midday during restoration work funded by the EU, trapping workers and triggering a lengthy rescue.
- Three workers were brought out alive, while a Romanian colleague rescued later died from his injuries, according to Italian media reports.
- Secondary collapses during the operation sent up thick dust clouds, forcing firefighters to retreat and switch tactics, including deploying ladders and a drone.
- Police cordoned off the Largo Corrado Ricci area near the Forum and Colosseum as prosecutors opened an investigation into possible negligence.
- Rome and national officials visited the scene, and Italy summoned Russia’s ambassador after a foreign‑ministry spokeswoman linked the collapse to Italy’s Ukraine policy.