Monday, October 27, 2025 - A Japanese tourist on a European vacation with his daughter plunged to his de@th at the ancient Roman Pantheon temple in a freak accident on Friday, Oct. 24, according to Italian authorities.
Morimasa Hibino, 69, was believed to be resting on the
parapet next to the 2,000-year-old landmark when police believe he lost his
balance and plummeted 23 feet to his de@th, Italy’s La Repubblica
reported.
Hibino’s frantic daughter screamed for help, with
firefighters responding to the scene finding her father in critical condition
after suffering from life-threatening injuries and severe blood loss, the
outlet said.
Roman police told CNN that they have opened an
investigation into the fatal mishap but authorities do not believe there was
any foul play involved.
Police told the outlet that Hibino might have gotten dizzy
and fallen to his de@th.
Originally built between 25 and 27 BC, the Pantheon was
reconstructed and completed in 125 AD, and still functions as a Catholic
Church, although it was closed at the time of the incident, CNN said.
Roman police routinely patrol the city’s ancient landmarks
to guard for potential falls. The modern Italian city is about 23 feet higher
than it originally was, making for a potential hazard.
The Pantheon, for example, sits below the surrounding
streets, with a gap between the building and street level creating a
potentially dangerous gap.
In March, a 55-year-old Spanish woman fell to her death from
a wall at the Spanish Steps.
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