A Japanese tourist died after falling from the perimeter wall of Rome’s ancient Pantheon late Friday night, October 24, 2025, in an incident that has led to an investigation by local authorities. Morimasa Hibino, 69, fell approximately 23 feet into a ditch below street level while visiting one of Italy’s renowned historical sites.
The accident happened around 9:50 p.m. local time on Via della Palombella, where the monument’s outer wall is elevated above an ancient passageway. A priest passing by found Hibino lying in the ditch and called emergency services. The area where Hibino was discovered is at the original street level of ancient Rome, which lies about 23 feet below the modern city, causing many ancient monuments to appear recessed.
Emergency responders, including firefighters, medical personnel, and police officers, initially faced challenges accessing the site. According to CNN, authorities had to force open a locked gate to reach Hibino. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hibino was traveling in Rome with his daughter at the time of the fall. She informed investigators that her father was seated on the perimeter wall when he suddenly felt dizzy, causing him to lose balance and fall into the ditch. Initial police findings support this account, indicating he experienced a sudden illness that led to the fall.
Surveillance cameras near the scene recorded the incident. The footage reportedly shows Hibino sitting alone on the edge of the wall before slipping and falling. Investigators are examining this footage to understand the circumstances of his death. A spokesperson for Rome police confirmed that no foul play is suspected.
The Pantheon, constructed by Roman Emperor Hadrian on the site of an earlier temple built by Marcus Agrippa, was later converted into a Catholic church. It attracts millions of visitors each year. The monument is renowned for its distinctive oculus, a circular opening at the top of its dome. The site was closed at the time of the accident, though the outer wall along Via della Palombella remains accessible to pedestrians during the evening.
The perimeter wall where Hibino fell is a popular spot for tourists seeking a break or taking photos of the historic site. Local police regularly patrol the area to prevent visitors from crossing over the protective barrier, as incidents involving people entering the restricted ditch area have occurred sporadically over the years.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, Rome has seen a significant increase in tourism. The city welcomed a record 22.2 million arrivals in 2024, the highest in its history. The Pantheon itself attracted over four million visitors last year, making it one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. Long queues often form in Piazza della Rotonda outside the entrance to the monument.
The site introduced a ticketing system in 2023, marking the end of its tradition of free admission. The five-euro entrance fee sparked controversy among preservation advocates and tourists, although the policy did not lead to a decrease in visitor numbers. The revenue helps fund ongoing conservation efforts for the nearly 2,000-year-old structure.
This incident marks another tourist death at a major Roman landmark in 2025. In March, a 55-year-old woman from Spain died after falling from a high wall near the Spanish Steps, another notable tourist destination in the city’s historic center.
The Japanese embassy in Rome has been informed of Hibino’s death and is providing consular assistance. Roman authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances of the fall, though initial findings point to the sudden medical episode described by his daughter as the primary cause. The investigation remains open as officials gather evidence and review surveillance footage from the scene.
