Area surrounding Torre dei Conte remains closed following death of worker

 ROME – The area surrounding Torre dei Conti, near the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, will likely be closed for several months following the death of a Romanian worker, Octay Stroici, who was trapped under rubble after the collapse of the medieval tower, local authorities said.

 Stroici, 66, was trapped under rubble for 11 hours before being rescued, after four others were rescued from the collapsed building. The Romanian had been talking to rescuers throughout as fire fighters used drones and rubble clearers to try and save him.

 After 11 hours, Stroici was pulled free. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition and soon after died following a cardiac arrest in the ambulance. He was six months from retiring.

 The medieval building, built in 1238, was undergoing renovation funded by the Pnrr “Caput Mundi” scheme, part of an EU scheme to help boost economies following the Covid-19 pandemic.

 The streets surrounding Torre dei Conti have been taped off by police and expect to remain closed to the public for several months. This is due to the fear that the building could collapse again.

 The Rome Prosecutor’s office has opened investigations for manslaughter and negligent disaster relating to the incident. Stroici's death marks another incident in Italy's long-standing problem with fatal accidents at work, with over 500 deaths so far in 2025 because of work related injuries, according to INAIL. 

 Public transport is likely to be diverted for several weeks.

 khg