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A Japanese tourist on a European vacation with his daughter tragically plunged to his death at the ancient Roman Pantheon temple in a freak accident on Friday, 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 death, 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 death.
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.
