Japanese tourist dies falling from Pantheon Rome
A 69-year-old Japanese tourist has died after a tragic fall from the outer wall of the ancient Pantheon in Rome while on holiday with his daughter.
The victim, identified as Morimasa Hibino, fell about seven metres (approximately 23 feet) from a parapet near Via della Palombella behind the monument.
According to the daughter’s account, her father appeared to suffer a sudden illness and became dizzy just before the fall. Emergency services arrived on scene after a priest passing by spotted the man lying in a ditch beneath the wall, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The outer walls of the Pantheon sit significantly lower than modern street level, adding to the height of potential falls and risk for visitors. Italian authorities have opened an investigation into the incident, but they do not currently suspect foul play.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder that even the most iconic and well‐visited landmarks carry inherent risks if safety precautions are ignored or unexpected health issues arise during visits.
