Rescuers are in a desperate race against time to get a worker trapped in the rubble of a collapsing medieval tower out alive.
The Torre dei Conti (Tower of the Counts) collapsed twice while restoration work was taking place near Rome’s Colosseum on Monday.
Clouds of dust came billowing out of the tower’s windows as it crumbling down the sides onto the pavement.
One worker was taken to hospital with serious injuries and another remains trapped under rubble.
Luca Cari, a national fire department spokesman, said: ‘We are trying to get him out alive but the situation is complex because of the risk of further collapses.’
Regional President Francesco Rocca told Italian news agencies that the worker in hospital was not in life-threatening condition.
He also said two other workers suffered minor injuries but declined hospital treatment.
The second incident happened as firefighters were working on the tower with aerial ladders to rescue the worker trapped by the first collapse.
During the attempt, another part of the structure partially collapsed, forcing firefighters to retreat.
The tower, which has not been used since 2006, was being restored as part of a four-year renovation project due to end next year.
It was built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III for his family.
Before it was scaled down after earthquake damage in the 14th and 17th centuries, the building was twice as high.
More recently, it was home to city hall offices.
The restoration project for the tower focused on the serious problems found on the external wall of the building.
This included widespread decay of the tower, growth of unwanted plants in the walls and vandalism.
The EU-funded restoration work planned to redo lights, water systems and overall improvements in the structure’s strength.
A museum exhibition, a service centre and a conference room for cultural initiatives were also going to be created in the space.
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