A Romanian worker who was pulled from the rubble of a medieval tower that partially collapsed in the Italian capital, Rome, has died in hospital, according to officials.
Octay Stroici, who had remained conscious during the long rescue operation, was taken to Umberto I Hospital in serious condition late on Monday and was pronounced dead hours later.
“Resuscitation attempts were made for about an hour to save Octay Stroici,” Italian news agency ANSA said, citing the Umberto I hospital.
“Despite this, spontaneous cardiac activity could not be restored”, and his “death was pronounced at 12:20am” on Tuesday (23:20 GMT).
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was quick to offer her condolences.
“I express deep sorrow and condolences, on behalf of myself and the government, for the tragic loss of Octay Stroici, the worker who was killed in the collapse of the Torre dei Conti in Rome,” she said in a statement. “We are close to his family and colleagues at this time of unspeakable suffering.”
Stroici had been helping to renovate the 29-metre (95-foot) Torre dei Conti, which partially collapsed shortly before midday on Monday, sending rubble into the street and a thick white cloud of dust into the air.
