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A Tragic Fall in the Eternal City

The Pantheon Incident and the Perils of Ancient Tourism

Saturday, 25 October 2025 21:45

Abstract

A 69-year-old Japanese tourist died after falling from the perimeter wall of the Pantheon in Rome, an incident that has prompted an immediate police investigation and a wider review of safety protocols at Italy's most visited ancient sites. The man, who was travelling with his daughter, reportedly lost his balance after suffering a sudden illness, falling approximately seven metres into a surrounding passageway. The tragedy highlights the persistent challenge for Roman authorities in balancing the preservation of millennia-old, open-access monuments with the safety demands of modern mass tourism.

Historical Context

Recent Findings

The Night of the Fall

The incident occurred late on a Friday evening, at approximately 9:50 PM local time on 24 October3,4,5,8. The victim was identified as Morimasa Hibino, a 69-year-old Japanese national who was visiting the Italian capital3,4,7. He was reportedly sitting on the parapet of the Pantheon’s perimeter wall when he lost his balance3,4,7. The fall was a distance of about seven metres, or roughly 22 feet, into a ditch or passageway located in the Via della Palombella, which runs along the rear of the ancient structure3,4,5,7,8,10,11. Mr Hibino was travelling with his daughter, who was present at the time of the accident3,4,5,10. She informed the police that her father had been overcome by a sudden illness, which she believed caused him to become dizzy and lose control3,4,5,7,9,10. The area where the man fell is situated below street level, a feature of the Pantheon’s architectural context7. A priest who was passing by the historic site discovered the man lying in the ditch and immediately alerted the emergency services3,4,7,10,11. Emergency responders, including doctors, local police, and the fire brigade, were quickly dispatched to the scene5,8,10. To reach the victim, the fire brigade was forced to break open an external gate outside the landmark3,4,5,7,8,10,11. Despite the rapid intervention, Mr Hibino was pronounced dead at the scene3,4,5,8.

The Architecture of Vulnerability

The Pantheon, a structure completed by the Emperor Hadrian around 126 AD, stands as one of the best-preserved examples of Ancient Roman architecture3,4,9,17. Its enduring status is partly due to its continuous use throughout history, having been converted into a Catholic church, the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs, in AD 60917. The monument is famed for its massive, unreinforced concrete dome, which remains the largest of its kind in the world nearly two millennia after its construction3,17,18. The structure’s perimeter, particularly the area where the fall occurred, features a significant drop from the street level into a lower passageway or moat7,10. This architectural feature, while historically integral to the building’s design and buttressing, creates a distinct safety hazard in a modern urban environment17. The Pantheon is a colossal draw for international visitors, attracting between seven and nine million tourists annually, making it one of the most visited sites in Rome3,11,16. The sheer volume of foot traffic, especially in the crowded historic centre, amplifies the risk of accidents near its ancient, unguarded edges10,13. The monument’s rules and regulations, which are primarily focused on preserving the interior as a place of worship and historical site, include general safety guidelines such as not leaning on the walls6,12. However, the external perimeter, which is often accessed late at night when the main structure is closed, presents a different set of challenges for public safety management16.

The Official Inquiry and Competing Theories

Following the tragedy, local police immediately launched a full investigation to determine the precise circumstances of the death3,4,5,8,10. A key element of the inquiry involved obtaining and reviewing surveillance footage from the Pantheon’s own CCTV system, as well as cameras from a nearby cosmetics shop that overlooked the area4,9,11,14. Media reports indicated that the video evidence corroborated the account of the man losing his balance and falling into the passageway11,14. Initial police findings suggested that Mr Hibino was sitting on the parapet when he lost his balance and fell face-first into the ditch7,16. The investigation is currently examining two primary hypotheses regarding the cause of the fall5,10. The first is the account provided by the victim’s daughter, which attributes the fall to a sudden, debilitating illness that caused a loss of balance3,4,5,7,9,10. The second hypothesis, which has been speculated upon by local media, is that the man may have leaned out too far, possibly while attempting to take a photograph, and subsequently lost his footing5,8. Police officials have stated that no foul play is suspected in the incident16. The focus of the ongoing investigation is to verify whether any lapses in safety measures at the Pantheon may have contributed to the accident10. The incident is not entirely isolated, as police often patrol the area to prevent pedestrians from breaching the perimeter wall of the ancient monument16. Furthermore, the tragedy follows another fatal fall in Rome earlier in the year, when a woman died after falling from a high wall near the Spanish Steps in March5.

Balancing Preservation and Public Safety

The death of the Japanese tourist has reignited a critical debate in Rome concerning the management of public safety at its most iconic and heavily visited ancient sites10. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city faces the complex task of preserving its historical structures while simultaneously ensuring the safety of millions of international visitors10,15. The Pantheon alone attracts a massive influx of people, and since July 2023, visitors have been required to purchase an entry ticket, a change implemented to better manage the crowds that can reach up to nine million people annually6,11. In the wake of the accident, there have been immediate calls for a review of safety protocols at popular tourist locations across the city10. Authorities are reportedly considering the enhancement of existing safety features, which could include the installation of better barriers and clearer signage to deter tourists from accessing precarious areas near historic buildings10. The challenge lies in implementing robust safety measures without compromising the aesthetic and historical integrity of the ancient monuments10. The historic centre of Rome, which includes the Pantheon, is generally considered a safe area for tourists due to the presence of ancient sites and regular police patrols15. However, the inherent design of these millennia-old structures, which were not built with modern safety standards in mind, means that risks are ever-present, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the surroundings10. The incident at the Pantheon, much like a previous accident at the Colosseum where an American tourist was seriously injured after impaling himself on a metal fence, underscores the need for a deliberate and comprehensive architectural strategy to mitigate the risks associated with high-volume tourism at open-air heritage sites4,10.

Conclusion

The tragic death of Morimasa Hibino at the Pantheon serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers that exist at ancient, open-access heritage sites across the globe. The investigation into the fall, which points toward a loss of balance while sitting on the perimeter wall, whether due to sudden illness or misjudgement, highlights the fine line between visitor freedom and necessary restriction. Rome’s authorities are now compelled to accelerate their review of safety measures, a process that must reconcile the imperative of historical preservation with the practical demands of protecting millions of modern tourists. The outcome of this review will likely set a precedent for how other major world cities manage the delicate balance between maintaining the authenticity of their ancient wonders and implementing the robust, visible safety precautions required in the age of mass international travel and ubiquitous photography.

References

  1. Current time information in Rome, IT.

    Used to verify the current time in Rome for context, though the specific time of the incident is cited from other sources.

  2. Current time information in 小県郡, JP.

    Used to verify the current time in Japan for context, though not directly cited in the article.

  3. Horror as tourist falls 22ft to his death in front of daughter at popular monument

    Provides the victim's name (Morimasa Hibino), age (69), nationality (Japanese), date/time (Oct 24, 9:50 PM), height of fall (22ft), location (perimeter wall/ditch), daughter's account (sudden illness), and investigation details (CCTV, police launch).

  4. Tourist dies after falling from famous Rome monument in front of horrified daughter

    Confirms victim's name, age, nationality, time, height (22ft), location (perimeter wall/ditch), daughter's account (sudden illness), discovery (passing priest), emergency response, and investigation (CCTV).

  5. Japanese tourist falls from the Pantheon parapet and dies

    Provides the fall height (seven metres), time (9:50 PM), location (Via della Palombella), emergency response (forced gate), daughter's account (illness), and the alternative hypothesis (leaning/photograph). Also mentions a previous fatal incident at the Spanish Steps.

  6. Visiting Pantheon Rome - Book in Advance, Tips, Dress Code - Vacatis.com

    Confirms the mandatory entry ticket requirement since July 2023 and general safety guidelines like 'Don't lean on the walls'.

  7. Tourist, 69, Dies After Falling 23 Feet from the Pantheon in Rome. A Priest Found Him Lying in a Ditch - People.com

    Confirms victim's name, age, date (Oct 24), discovery (priest in a ditch), height (23 feet), daughter's account (sudden illness/dizzy), and initial police findings (sitting on parapet).

  8. Japanese tourist dies after falling off wall at Pantheon in Rome

    Confirms age (69), time (21:50), height (seven metres), location (Via della Palombella), emergency response (forced gate), and speculation about a selfie/leaning too far.

  9. Japanese tourist falls to death at Pantheon in Rome

    Confirms age (69), height (seven metres), daughter's account (sudden illness/dizzy), investigation (CCTV), and the Pantheon's status as Rome's best-preserved monument.

  10. Japanese Visitor Dies In Fall From Pantheon In Rome - Travel And Tour World

    Confirms victim's name, age, height (7 metres), location (moat), daughter's account (sudden illness), emergency response (forced gate), and the subsequent calls for enhanced safety features, barriers, and a review of safety protocols.

  11. Tourist dies after fall from iconic Rome monument | The Independent

    Confirms age (69), height (seven metres), location (passageway), discovery (priest), emergency response (forced gate), CCTV details (sitting on parapet, losing balance), and visitor numbers (up to nine million, ticket fee since 2023).

  12. Rules and regulation - Pantheon e Castel Sant'Angelo

    Provides official rules and regulations for visiting the Pantheon, confirming the focus on dress code and prohibiting food/drink, which contrasts with the external safety issue.

  13. Pantheon Guide

    Provides context on the crowded nature of the area and general safety advice for tourists in Rome.

  14. 69-year-old Japanese tourist dies after falling from the historic Roman Pantheon - WION

    Confirms the daughter's claim of sudden illness/dizziness and the use of CCTV from the Pantheon and a cosmetics shop to corroborate the account.

  15. Is Rome Safe? A Tourist's Guide to Safety and Security - Qeepl

    Provides context on the safety of the Centro Storico (Historic Center) and the role of police patrols in tourist-heavy areas.

  16. Tourist, 69, Dies After Falling 23 Feet from the Pantheon in Rome. A Priest Found Him Lying in a Ditch - Yahoo News UK

    Confirms initial police findings (sitting on parapet, fell face-first), no foul play suspected, and that police often patrol the area to prevent breaches of the wall.

  17. Pantheon, Rome - Wikipedia

    Provides detailed architectural and historical context: construction date (c. 126 AD, Hadrian), status as a church (since 609 AD), the dome's unreinforced concrete status, and the building's continuous use.

  18. Pantheon, an architectural miracle - Eitch Borromini

    Confirms the Pantheon's dome as the world's largest unsupported dome and its construction date (c. 126 AD).