UPDATE - Rome's medieval tower collapses during renovation, trapping one worker, injuring another

UPDATES WITH LATEST DETAILS; CHANGES IN HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE AND BODY

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - A medieval tower partially collapsed in central Rome on Monday morning, as renovation works were underway, seriously injuring at least one worker and trapping another under the rubble, rescuers said.

At least three people at work in the Torrei dei Conti were rescued by firefighters, who rushed to the scene with three emergency teams and two ladder trucks. Police cordoned off the area overlooking Rome’s central Via dei Fori Imperiali, close to the Colosseum, and crowded with hundreds of tourists and on lookers.

The first massive collapse happened at around 11.30 am local time (10.30 GMT) and was followed by a second one, about one hour and half later, as the rescuers were at work. Some of them were involved in the second collapse, which forced rescuers to temporarily halt the operations using a mobile ladder, TV images showed. Firefighters said the rescue team was unharmed.

Local authorities confirmed that one of the workers was trapped under the rubble, but remained responsive. After the second collapse, a firefighters' spokesman said rescue teams were back at work to try to save the man.

Regional Governor Francesco Rocca said the worker hospitalized was not in a life-threatening condition, while two others suffered minor injuries.

Italy's top officials, including Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, were at the scene.

The Torre dei Conti, built in 1238 by Pope Innocent III, was undergoing renovation work after years of abandonment. Rome’s prosecutors have opened a probe into the collapse, Italian media said.

The 29-meter tower is located at a walking distance from the Colosseum, one of the Eternal City's most famous attractions, halfway along the usually tourist-crowded Via dei Fori Imperiali.