Man dies after falling from Pantheon wall in Rome
A Japanese tourist died after falling off the perimeter wall surrounding the historic Pantheon in Rome on Oct. 25.
The man, identified by the Japanese Embassy as 69-year-old Morimasa Hibino, was discovered in a ditch beside the monument about seven meters below street level by a priest who immediately called the authorities.
Local outlet la Repubblica, citing police, reported that the man likely fell on accident after losing his balance while sitting on the parapet. In another report, Hibino's daughter, who was with him during the trip, fell after suddenly feeling ill.
Emergency services and firefighters had to break through a gate leading to the ditch where he fell, as the Pantheon, also a Catholic church, was closed during the incident.
An investigation has been launched into the accident, but a Rome police spokesperson told CNN that no foul play is suspected.
Even before Hibino’s death, police said there had been several similar incidents at the location. Because of this, cops patrol the area to ensure no one crosses the perimeter wall.
In March, a 55-year-old Spanish tourist also died after falling from a high wall near the Spanish Steps, another well-known tourist spot in Rome.
Over thousands of years, Rome has been rebuilt and restored countless times. As a result, ancient structures like the Pantheon now sit lower, appearing sunken beneath the city’s modern streets.
