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Japanese Tourist Morimasa Hibino, 69, Dies After Fall Into Pantheon’s Ditch in Rome

Police opened an inquiry and say no crime is suspected as accounts point to a sudden illness before the fall.

Overview

  • The Japanese Embassy identified the victim as Morimasa Hibino, who was visiting Rome with his daughter.
  • Authorities say he fell roughly seven meters from the perimeter wall into the sunken fossa that surrounds the monument.
  • A priest passing by saw him in the ditch and called for help, and firefighters forced a door to reach the site.
  • Emergency teams arrived quickly but confirmed he could not be resuscitated, and the Pantheon was closed at the time.
  • Rome police noted previous incidents involving the ditch and said the area is regularly patrolled to deter trespassing.