Part of medieval tower near Colosseum collapses during renovation in Rome

Part of the medieval Torre dei Conti collapsed Monday morning during renovation work near the Imperial Forums, with firefighters rescuing four workers while one remained trapped under rubble.

The tower, built in 1238 by Pope Innocent III and located near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in Rome's historic centre, was undergoing restoration funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan when the partial collapse occurred around 11:30.

Rome Fire Brigade deployed three operational teams, two ladder trucks and specialist units to the scene. Three workers trapped atop the tower were evacuated through a door using ladder trucks, while a fourth worker was extracted from the structure.

Initial reports indicated one person remained beneath the rubble as rescue operations continued.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri arrived at the site as local police from the I Centro Group closed pedestrian and vehicular traffic along Via dei Fori Imperiali to facilitate emergency response. The Capitoline Superintendency also attended the scene.

The tower had been abandoned for years before the current renovation project began. Authorities have not released details on the extent of structural damage or the cause of the collapse.

The incident occurred in one of Rome's most visited areas, adjacent to the Imperial Forums archaeological site in the heart of the Italian capital's historic district.

A second collapse at 12:50 forced firefighters to withdraw ladder trucks and evacuate for safety.

The central section of the tower's side facing Via Cavour, an external buttress built in the 1930s to strengthen the structure, was destroyed. Internal floors collapsed in the second incident, raising another dust cloud and suspending rescue operations.

The most seriously injured worker, aged 64, was transported to San Giovanni Hospital in critical condition with a head injury. Two others refused hospitalisation for minor grazes.

Lazio Governor Francesco Rocca said the person still under rubble was receiving medical attention and "no one is believed to be in life-threatening danger".

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli attended the scene alongside Mayor Gualtieri. The prosecutor's office opened an investigation into negligent assault, handled by Deputy Prosecutors Mario Dovinola and Antonino Di Maio.

Carabinieri and judicial police specialising in workplace accidents are investigating the collapse. Prosecutors requested an expert assessment of the construction work status and contract awarding process.