High alert in surrounding areas of iconic 'leaning tower' over risks of possible collapse

Areas in close proximity of iconic 'Leaning Tower' called Garisenda Tower in Italy's Bologna have been evacuated over possible risks of collapse, reports suggest.

The Garisenda tower in the historic city of Bologna, Italy, known for its significant tilt since the 12th century, is facing an alarming risk of collapse.

A report by news organisation CNN claimes that the city council has responded by cordoning off the surrounding area and announcing plans for a protective metal barrier to "contain debris resulting from a possible collapse, to reduce the vulnerability of surrounding buildings and the exposure to the population, as well as blocking access to the off-limits area."


What differentiated Italy's Leaning Tower from the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the angle. The 150-foot-tall tower leans at an angle of four degrees, which is slightly more upright than the Leaning Tower of Pisa's five degrees.

The scientific committee has issued a 'high alert' in a 27-page report it has published. The committee has been monitoring the site since 2019.

What does the scientific report say?
The report has claimed that safety "conditions no longer exist to operate on or around framework of a civil protection plan." Experts noted an "unexpected and accelerated trend" of "crushing" compression tower's base. The stone cladding the base has shown signs of gradual disintegration, accompanied by expanding cracks in the brickwork.

Extreme weather conditions and heat could have been contributing factors to the situation.