On November 4, 2025, the heart of Rome was shaken by the sudden collapse of the Torre dei Conti, a towering medieval structure just steps from the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. The incident, which claimed the life of Romanian worker Octav Stroici and injured several others, has left the city mourning and sparked urgent questions about safety and preservation at some of Italy’s most cherished historical sites.
The Torre dei Conti, a 29-meter (90-foot) high stone sentinel built in the 13th century by Pope Innocent III as a residence for his brother, has long stood as a reminder of Rome’s layered past. But at about 11:20 a.m. local time on that fateful Monday, a section of the tower gave way, trapping workers who were carrying out conservation efforts inside the centuries-old edifice. The area, separated from the main visitors’ section of the Roman Forum by only a road, is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, making the collapse all the more jarring for the city.
According to BBC and AFP, rescue teams raced to the scene, facing a perilous and complex operation. Firefighters, aware of the risks posed by the unstable structure, used drones and specialized rubble clearers to reach those trapped. The situation became even more dangerous about 90 minutes after the initial collapse, when another section of the fragile tower crumbled, sending bricks raining down and a huge cloud of dust billowing into the air. Despite these hazards, the firefighters pressed on, putting up protective barriers around Stroici and others as they worked through the day and into the night.
Octav Stroici, 66, was conscious and communicating with emergency workers throughout much of the ordeal. His wife, anxiously waiting at the scene, held onto hope alongside the rescue teams. After nearly twelve hours beneath the rubble, Stroici was finally pulled free at 11:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. GMT). But the ordeal had taken its toll: his heart stopped in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, and doctors were unable to revive him.
“Together with them, we held on to hope until the very last moment,” the Romanian foreign ministry said in a statement, sending condolences to Stroici’s family and confirming his Romanian nationality, as well as that of another worker among the three others rescued from the debris.
The Romanian Patriarchate, expressing deep sorrow, released a statement of solidarity and compassion for those affected and their families. “We pray for the repose of the soul of the servant of God, Octav Stroici, for the recovery of the injured, and for the comfort of the grieving families,” the Patriarchate’s press office declared, as reported by Basilica.ro. The statement also extended gratitude to local authorities for their prompt and courageous response.
Rome’s local authorities, including firefighters and police, were lauded for their swift action. Rome prefect Lamberto Giannini described the scene as “a very complex situation.” He explained that after the first collapse, emergency crews “put up some protection” around the trapped man so that when the second collapse occurred, “they obviously shielded him.” Giannini emphasized that the rescue was a long and dangerous process, requiring careful mitigation of “the enormous risks faced by the people trying to carry out the rescue.” One firefighter was taken to the hospital with an eye injury, according to Italian reports, but the rest of the team escaped harm and eventually resumed their search.
As the rescue unfolded, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni took to social media to share her thoughts and sympathies. Before the outcome was known, she wrote, “My thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the person currently fighting for his life beneath the rubble, and to his family, for whom I sincerely hope that this tragedy finds a positive outcome.” Rome’s mayor and Italy’s culture minister also visited the site, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the national attention it commanded.
For those who survived, the memories of the collapse are likely to linger. Ottaviano, a 67-year-old worker who was inside the tower at the time, managed to escape uninjured from a balcony. Speaking to AFP, he expressed his relief and concern: “It was not safe. I just want to go home.” His words echoed the fears and frustrations of many who work to preserve Italy’s historic landmarks, often under challenging and sometimes hazardous conditions.
The Torre dei Conti, which had been empty and abandoned for years before the recent conservation work began, is now the subject of an official investigation. The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has opened a case to determine the cause of the collapse and whether any negligence or oversight contributed to the tragedy. The streets surrounding the tower have been cordoned off by police as a precaution, and the incident is sure to prompt a broader review of safety protocols at other historical sites across the city and the country.
Italy’s rich architectural heritage is both a source of immense pride and a constant challenge. Structures like the Torre dei Conti, weathered by centuries and often left unused for decades, require ongoing maintenance and careful restoration. Yet these efforts can be fraught with danger, as the events of November 4 have made painfully clear. The collapse has reignited debate about how best to balance preservation with safety, especially in a city where ancient ruins and modern life coexist in such close quarters.
The loss of Octav Stroici has resonated deeply, not only among the Romanian community but throughout Italy. The Romanian Patriarchate’s prayers for the repose of his soul and for the healing of the injured have been echoed by many. Local authorities, for their part, have been praised for their quick and determined response, even as questions remain about the underlying causes of the disaster.
As Rome grapples with the aftermath, attention has turned to the future of the Torre dei Conti and similar sites. Will this tragedy lead to stricter regulations, increased funding for restoration, or new technologies to monitor structural integrity? Only time will tell. For now, the city mourns a worker who gave his life in the service of history, and the world watches as Rome seeks answers amid its ancient stones.
The collapse of the Torre dei Conti stands as a sobering reminder of the fragility of even the most enduring monuments—and the courage of those who labor to keep history alive.
