A tragic accident claimed the life of a Japanese tourist at one of Rome’s most famous landmarks.
Morimasa Hibino, 69, fell from the Pantheon and into a ditch on Friday, October 24, according to reports from Italian newspaper La Repubblica and CNN. The Japanese embassy confirmed his identity.
Hibino was discovered by a priest lying in a ditch near the ancient site, which is about 23 feet below street level. Authorities had to break through a gate to reach him and recover his body.
Early reports suggest that Hibino may have suffered a sudden illness, causing dizziness before he fell. Police say he was sitting on a parapet when he lost his balance and tumbled face-first into the ditch. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras reportedly captured the incident.
Officials are currently investigating, but no foul play is suspected. Rome police noted that while such incidents are rare, they do happen, and officers regularly patrol the area to prevent visitors from entering unsafe sections of the site.
The Pantheon, a marvel of ancient Roman architecture, draws millions of tourists each year. At the time of the accident, the monument was closed to the public.
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