A tragic incident occurred in Rome where a tourist, Morimasa Hibino, a Japanese national, lost his life after falling from the Pantheon’s perimeter wall. The 69-year-old man fell approximately 22 feet to his death around 9:50 pm local time. Police were informed by a passing priest who spotted the man lying in a ditch. Despite efforts by emergency services and firefighters, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Reports indicate that the man was sitting on the wall before losing his balance and falling. CCTV footage of the area where the man was seated has been obtained as part of the investigation. The man’s daughter informed the police that her father fell due to a sudden illness.
The Pantheon, a well-preserved ancient monument in Rome, is widely known as a church and a popular tourist attraction. This unfortunate event follows a previous incident where an American tourist, a US citizen residing in Taiwan, suffered serious injuries after accidentally impaling himself on a metal fence while taking a selfie at the Colosseum in Rome.
The American man, aged 47, had climbed a railing between the Colosseum’s arches for a better view but slipped and fell onto a sharp metal spike, which pierced his spine. He was rushed to San Giovanni Hospital for urgent surgery and was reported to be in serious but stable condition following the incident.
These incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of caution and safety when visiting historical sites and landmarks.