A Japanese tourist died after falling from the Pantheon in Rome, officials said Friday.
Morimasa Hibino, 69, was vacationing with his daughter when he slipped on a parapet and plunged 23 feet to the ground.
The Pantheon, a 2,000‑year‑old Roman temple that now serves as a Catholic church, sits below the modern street level. The drop from the lot is hazardous, and police warned travelers to stay behind railings.
Hibino’s daughter called for help as she heard her father fall. Firefighters arrived quickly and found him in a critical state, suffering severe blood loss. Emergency crews treated him on scene and then rushed him to a hospital, but he was declared dead before she could see him.
Police opened an investigation but said there was no sign of foul play. “He may have gotten dizzy and lost his footing,” one officer told reporters. The incident follows an earlier death in March when a Spanish woman fell to her death from a wall at the Spanish Steps.
“Rome’s ancient monuments all sit below modern street level, making them potential danger zones,” a police spokesperson said. The city routinely patrols the area to keep visitors safe.
The tragedy underscores the risks around Rome’s historic landmarks. Visitors are urged to keep a safe distance from edges and to stay behind the posted barriers.
Source: New York Post
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