Horror as man plunges from London’s famous Tate Modern art gallery

Witnesses have described chaotic scenes after a man plunged to his death in a tragedy at one of the world’s most famous art galleries.

A crowd gathers outside London’s Tate Modern art gallery after a man fell from the building. Pictures: AFP/Facebook

A man has died after falling from the 10th floor of the Tate Modern art gallery in London.

Visitors were evacuated from the gallery on London’s Southbank after the horror plunge about 10.45am on Friday, local time.

The death is being treated as unexpected but not suspicious, police said.

Tate Modern said it would be closed for the rest of the day, and people with exhibition tickets would be contacted.

Witnesses have described chaotic scenes after the tragic incident.

“There were police everywhere,” a coffee truck owner outside the gallery told The Sun.

“It’s just so tragic. I’m dizzy from it. We are closing early because I can’t deal with it.”

Another barista said cops flooded the area around the gallery after the man’s fall.

One social media user posting on X, formerly Twitter, said: “There was an evacuation. they kicked us out too after 10 minutes in.”

Visitors look at a ‘closed’ sign outside an entrance to the Tate Modern gallery in London after the man’s death. Picture: Daniel Leal/AFP

Meanwhile, a witness told MailOnline: “I went at the bar on the 10th floor for a coffee. It was super quiet, maybe 15 people were there in total.

“Suddenly, I noticed some odd movement on the terrace. I looked towards my left and I noticed a young guy over the terrace fence.

“I saw his hesitation. As soon as I realised what was about to happen I looked away, and heard somebody else scream.”

The force said the man, who has yet to be identified, died at the scene.

In a statement, London’s Met police said: “Police were called at 10.45am to reports of a man fallen from the Tate Modern on Bankside, SE1.

“Officers, London’s Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service attended.

“Despite the efforts of medics at the scene the man sadly died at the scene.

“Enquiries are under way to identify the man and notify next of kin.

“A scene and cordons remain in place.

The gallery was closed after the man’s death. Picture: Daniel Leal/AFP

“The death is currently being treated as unexpected but is not thought to be suspicious.”

Posting on Twitter, the gallery said: “Tate Modern will be closed for the rest of the day while we respond to an incident on site.

“If you have an exhibition ticket for today, we will be contacting you directly to reschedule your booking.

“We are unable to provide any more information at the moment.”

The Tate Modern confirmed that it will be open from 10am on Saturday.

It comes after a seven-year-old boy nearly died after he was thrown from the gallery’s 10th floor balcony.

Jonty Bravery, 19, picked up the child he didn’t know and hurled him 30m to the ground, inflicting horrific life-changing injuries.

Bravery was sentenced to detention for life with a minimum term of 15 years at London’s Old Bailey criminal court in June 2021 after pleading guilty to attempted murder.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission