Taiwan tourist hit by falling masonry in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican

Rome, March 17 (CNA) A female tourist from Taiwan was injured by a small piece of masonry that fell from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican during a visit to the church on Sunday.

The woman, identified as Hsu Yun-chen (許芸禎), was struck on the forehead while she and her tour group were near Michelangelo's sculpture "Pietà."

Hsu was then rushed to a hospital, the group's guide to the church Fu Jing (傅瀞) told CNA on Monday, adding that Hsu was diagnosed with no serious injuries and was able to continue her tour as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Mathew Lee (李世明), Taiwan's recently retired ambassador to the Holy See, said he met with Hsu and her group after the incident to express his concern.

The Vatican is Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe.

The tour group is scheduled to return to Taiwan from Rome by plane on Monday, according to Wang Chih-hung (王執宏), the group's tour guide.

This is not the first time masonry has fallen from the church. According to local media, in March 2018, several pieces fell near the "Pietà" but caused no injuries.

In 2017, a 52-year-old Spanish tourist was killed by falling masonry in Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence.