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Man Causes Minor Damage at St. Peter’s Basilica After Jumping onto Main Altar
A man caused minor damage at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday after jumping onto the main altar and knocking over two 19th-century candelabra, valued at approximately €30,000 ($31,000). The incident, which occurred during a busy period of tourist activity, was captured on video and shared widely on social media.
The footage shows the individual climbing onto the altar, which is used for major liturgical celebrations presided over by Pope Francis. He is seen pulling off the altar cloth before being apprehended by Vatican security in front of shocked onlookers. The altar is situated beneath the basilica’s iconic stone canopy, designed by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which underwent a recent restoration.
According to Italian news agency Ansa, the suspect is a Romanian national. A Vatican spokesman described the individual as having a “serious mental disability” and confirmed that he was detained by Vatican Police before being handed over to Italian authorities for further investigation.
The incident comes as the Catholic Church prepares for its jubilee year in 2025, during which an estimated 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most significant religious sites in the world, has been implementing measures to accommodate the anticipated influx of visitors. These include the installation of protective glass in front of Michelangelo’s Pieta sculpture, which was damaged in a hammer attack in 1972.
This is not the first time the basilica has faced such disruptions. In 2019, a similar incident occurred when a man threw candelabra off the main altar. The Vatican has since heightened security measures to protect its priceless artworks and religious artifacts.
The basilica remains a focal point for both worshippers and tourists, drawing millions of visitors each year. The recent incident, while minor, has raised concerns about the safety and preservation of the historic site, especially as the Vatican prepares for the jubilee year.
Authorities have not released further details about the suspect’s motives or condition. The Vatican has yet to issue an official statement beyond the initial comments provided to Ansa.
As the Catholic Church continues its preparations for the 2025 jubilee, the incident serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing public access with the protection of one of the world’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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