A worker has been taken to hospital with serious injuries and another is trapped under rubble following the partial collapse of a medieval tower under renovation in central Rome, near the Colosseum.

"We are trying to get him out alive but the situation is complex because of the risk of further collapses," fire department spokesman Luca Cari told Reuters about ongoing rescue efforts.

Regional president Francesco Rocca, speaking to Italian news agencies, said the worker in hospital was not in a life-threatening condition while two more workers suffered minor injuries and declined hospital treatment.

Hundreds of tourists watched as firefighters used a mobile ladder and brought a stretcher to the upper level of the tower.

During the rescue operation by firefighters, another part of the tow

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