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A Japanese tourist has died after allegedly slipping and suffering a heart attack at the Taj Mahal while taking a selfie.

The tourist, believed to be a 66-year-old man, was visiting the Indian monument with three other people and a local guide when the tragic incident occurred.

It is thought the man climbed up the stairs of the white marble tomb before falling and sustaining a head injury.

Witness Sagar Singh told BBC Hindi the man fell while taking a selfie at the palace’s Royal Gate.

Agra police officer Sushant Gaur told the AFP: “He was rushed in an ambulance to the hospital but he could not be revived.

“A post-mortem was carried out and the cause of death is heart attack.

“We have duly informed the Japanese embassy about the unfortunate incident.”

One of the man’s colleagues, who he was visiting the 17th century mausoleum with, was also involved in a fall and fractured his leg, the BBC reported.

An investigation into the death has been launched.

The Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and now attracts up to 12,000 visitors each day.