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NEED TO KNOW
- A tourist is dead after falling from the Pantheon in Rome and into a ditch on October 24
- The tourist has been identified as Morimasa Hibino, 69, from Japan
- The police are currently investigating the fatal incident
A man suffered a fatal fall at an ancient Roman site popular with tourists.
Morimasa Hibino, a 69-year-old from Japan, died after falling from the Pantheon in Rome and into a ditch on Friday, October 24, according to Italian newspaper The Republic and CNNwho cited local police.
Hibino, who was identified by the Japanese embassy, was discovered in a ditch near the ancient site in central Rome, according to CNN.
A priest saw the man lying in the area, which was approximately 23 feet below street level, and subsequently contacted authorities in the area, the store and The Republic reported.
Authorities had to break down a gate to access the ditch and retrieve Hibino’s body, according to CNN.
Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty
Police are currently investigating Hibino’s death, according to the release.
A Rome police spokesperson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Oct. 25.
The man’s daughter said he fell after suffering a sudden illness that left him feeling dizzy, CNN reported, citing local media coverage.
Early police investigations paint a similar picture, according to The Republic.
Hibino was sitting on a parapet when he lost his balance and fell face first into the ditch, the Italian newspaper reported, citing initial police findings.
Surveillance footage from cameras near the scene captured the incident, according to the newspaper.
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Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty
No foul play is suspected, a police spokesman told CNN. According to the news agency, incidents in the area are not entirely uncommon, and police often patrol to ensure that pedestrians do not breach the wall that protects the perimeter of the ancient monument.
The Pantheon is one of Italy’s most popular attractions, with millions of tourists estimated to visit the monument each year, according to BBC.
It was closed at the time of the fatal incident, according to CNN.
