Italian officers have reacted with outrage after Russia used the partial collapse of a medieval tower in central Rome to assert that Italy’s assist for Ukraine has drained funds wanted to protect its cultural heritage.
The Torre dei Conti, a 29m-tall fortified residence constructed close to the Colosseum within the thirteenth century, partially collapsed on Monday (3 November), inflicting the loss of life of a Romanian employee who was trapped beneath rubble for 11 hours.
Maria Zakharova, a Russian international ministry spokesperson, linked the collapse with Italy’s assist of Ukraine. “So long as the Italian authorities retains uselessly losing taxpayers’ cash, all of Italy will collapse, from the financial system to its towers,” she wrote in a Telegram publish on Monday.
Italy’s international minister, Antonio Tajani, described Zakharova’s feedback as “shameful” and “unacceptable” earlier than formally summoning the Russian ambassador. “The vulgar phrases of Russian international ministry spokeswoman Zakharova have been contested,” the international ministry subsequently mentioned in an announcement.
Italy’s cupboard authorized plans final December to increase the provision of “means, supplies and gear” required for Ukraine’s conflict effort till the top of 2025.
The tower, which has been closed since 2007, was present process a €6.9m restoration venture as a part of the Caput Mundi-Subsequent Era EU heritage regeneration venture, funded by the EU’s post-Covid financial reconstruction programme.
The venture concerned conservation work, the set up {of electrical}, lighting and water techniques and the set up of a brand new museum devoted to the ultimate phases of the Roman Imperial Discussion board, officers mentioned.
An exterior buttress constructed within the Thirties gave means at round 11:30am on Monday earlier than an inside roof fell by at 12:50pm. 4 of the 9 workmen on website on the time had been trapped, Italian media firm Rai studies.
Whereas firefighters liberated the primary three employees shortly after the primary collapse, they didn’t retrieve the fourth—Octay Stroici, reported to be in his 60s—till 11 hours later. He had sustained a important head damage and later died in hospital.
“I specific deep sorrow and condolences, on behalf of myself and the federal government,” Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned in an announcement after midnight. “We’re near his household and colleagues presently of unspeakable struggling.”
The primary section of the construction’s restoration, which concerned the removing of asbestos and preliminary work, started in June following structural surveys and cargo exams, in line with an announcement by Rome municipal artwork authorities.
The restoration was being carried out by two revered Rome-based specialist restoration firms—Edilerica, based in 1920, and Picalarga, based in 1878—in line with Italian media.
Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation over Stroici’s loss of life.
