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Japanese Tourist Dies After Seven-Meter Fall From Rome's Pantheon Wall

Police under prosecutors' direction are examining evidence to determine whether a sudden illness or a failed selfie led to the fall.

Overview

  • The victim was identified as 69-year-old Morimasa Hibino, who fell Friday night into the Pantheon's moat from a perimeter wall in central Rome.
  • Firefighters forced an exterior gate to reach him as 118 medics attempted resuscitation, but he died at the scene after severe bleeding.
  • The fall occurred at the corner of Via della Palombella and Via della Rotonda behind the main entrance, an area with the moat's highest drop.
  • Investigators are reviewing the dynamics of the incident with coordination from the prosecutor's office, and an autopsy could be ordered.
  • Hibino was traveling with his daughter, who called for help; police are weighing two main hypotheses and may gather CCTV footage to reconstruct events.