Man Dies After Falling from Tate Modern Gallery in London

A tragic incident occurred at the Tate Modern gallery in London on Friday when a man fell to his death from the building. The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the scene at approximately 10:45 am.

Emergency services, including the London’s Air Ambulance, swiftly arrived at the location on Bankside, SE1. Despite the best efforts of the medics, the unidentified man tragically passed away at the scene.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the event is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious. Currently, a cordon remains in place as the authorities work on identifying the man and notifying his next of kin.

Visitors and tourists, including numerous school trips, arrived at the renowned flagship gallery to find all entrances locked and shutters pulled down. The Tate Modern, one of the most visited art museums globally, made the decision to close for the rest of the day in light of the incident, as a mark of respect.

The Tate Modern expressed their sadness in a statement, sending condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. They echoed the police’s stance that the incident was not deemed suspicious, causing closure for the day. The gallery houses iconic pieces by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Witnesses at the scene were left shaken by the incident. A coffee vendor disclosed that a barista who witnessed the fall had to take the rest of the day off, while a busker mentioned how an air ambulance landed on the Thames beach before departing. However, there was a lack of immediate information provided, leaving people wondering about the events unfolding.

Social media platforms were filled with posts from evacuated visitors, describing the scene outside the Tate Modern with parked ambulances, while questioning what had transpired.

Notably, this is not the first such incident at the Tate Modern. In 2019, a six-year-old French boy suffered life-changing injuries when he was thrown from the 10th floor by teenager Jonty Bravery. The child survived but suffered severe injuries. Bravery, who intended to harm someone, was later convicted of attempted murder.

The Tate Modern, housed in the converted Bankside Power Station, opened its doors in 2000. It offers a vast collection of modern and contemporary art and has amassed a significant following over the years.