Rescue operations continued into Monday evening at the Torre dei Conti, a 13th-century medieval tower near the Roman Forum in central Rome, after it partially collapsed twice during restoration works funded by the European Union's post-pandemic recovery program.
The initial collapse occurred just after 11:30 a.m., with debris striking a 64-year-old worker who was hospitalized in critical but non-life-threatening condition.
Firefighters rescued three other workers from scaffolding before a second internal collapse around 1 p.m. trapped one man on an upper floor.
Rome's prefect, Lamberto Giannini, confirmed evidence that the trapped worker remains alive, describing the operation as lengthy and complex due to high collapse risks.
Specialist teams deployed a drone to assess the site through a window, prioritizing the man's safety amid ongoing instability.
Witnesses reported loud bangs, dust clouds, and vibrations resembling an earthquake, with some observing workers attempting to escape via scaffolding or balconies.
The tower, built by Richard Conti, brother of Pope Innocent III, as a fortified family residence, has a history of damage from a 1349 earthquake and 17th-century collapses.
Restoration under the Caput Mundi–Next Generation EU project aimed to enhance structural security.
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli arrived at the scene, where the surrounding Forum and Piazza Venezia area was cordoned off amid heavy tourist presence.
One escaped worker, covered in dust, expressed relief at fleeing from a balcony.
The incident follows recent government legislation to improve workplace safety after multiple fatal accidents.