A mediaeval tower in the heart of Italy's capital, near the famous Roman Forum ruins, has partially collapsed during work to renovate the structure, seriously injuring at least one worker, Italian media reports.

Hundreds of tourists watched as firefighters used a mobile ladder and brought a stretcher to the upper level of the Torre dei Conti on Monday.

Three workers were rescued, while one remained blocked inside the structure, the newspaper Corriere della Sera said.

During the rescue operation by firefighters, another part of the tower collapsed, sending up a cloud of debris.

Firefighters who were on a mobile ladder quickly descended when the additional collapse occurred.

It wasn't immediately known if there were more injuries after that.

The Torre dei Conti was built in the 1

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