Japanese tourist falls from the Pantheon parapet and dies

A 71-year-old Japanese tourist tragically died in Rome on Friday after falling from a perimeter wall of the Pantheon, one of the capital's most iconic monuments.

The accident occurred around 9.50pm, when the man fell from a height of about seven metres from the parapet of the wall located in Via della Palombella.

In spite of the rapid intervention of the emergency services, which included doctors, local police officers and the fire brigade, nothing could be done to save the tourist's life.

The fire brigade had to force an external gate to reach the site of the fall.

Authorities immediately launched an investigation into the incident. Among the hypotheses being examined by the investigators, it cannot be ruled out that the victim may have leaned out too far, perhaps in an attempt to take a photograph, losing his balance and falling into the void.

The man was on holiday with his daughter, who according to local press told police he fell after being overcome by illness.

It is the second type of incident that has happened in Rome this year. In March, a woman died after falling from a high wall at the side of the Spanish Steps.