Desperate search launched to free trapped worker after medieval tower collapses in Rome
The Torre dei Conti in central Rome partly gave way twice during restoration work on Monday
A rescue mission is underway to free a trapped worker in Rome after a medieval tower collapsed during renovation work.
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The man became stuck after the Torre dei Conti partly collapsed twice on Monday, which also left another worker injured.
A spokesperson for Italy's national fire department Luca Cari said they were trying to get the man out alive but admitted the situation is complex because of the risk of further collapses.
The worker had displayed "signs of life" and had been given protective cover during one of the rescue attempts, according to Rome's top law enforcement official, prefect Lamberto Giannini.
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The building, located close to the Roman Forum ruins, suffered the first collapse just after 11.30am (1030 GMT) on Monday, with falling debris reportedly hitting a 64-year-old worker.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but they are not believed to be critical.
Three others were also rescued from the debris.
During the operation to rescue those men, at about 1pm, an internal section of the tower collapsed again at around 1pm, leaving one worker trapped on an upper floor.
A specialist team was still trying on Monday evening to rescue the man.
The Rome prefect, Lamberto Giannini, told reporters: "At the moment, there is a person trapped but we have evidence that he is still alive.
"Every effort is under way to try to save him, which is a priority, but what we can say is that it will be a very long and complex operation, because the risk of collapse is extremely high.
"We will try in every way because the absolute priority is to save this human life."
The tower has not been used since 2006 but was being restored as part of a four-year renovation project due to end next year.
It was initially erected by Pope Innocent III for his family in the early 13th century, and was originally twice as high, but was scaled down after damage from earthquakes in the 14th and 17th centuries.