A family of three died Thursday after falling from the 213-foot Harz Tower in Altenau, Germany, local reports indicate. Emergency services responded to the popular tourist attraction around 4:40 p.m. after receiving reports of the incident.
Firefighters arrived at the scene but were unable to save the two parents and their child, who were found dead at the base of the tower. Police are treating the incident as a potential suicide pact and have stated that preliminary investigations have found no evidence of third-party negligence. The area has been cordoned off as the investigation into the circumstances and background of the deaths continues.
The Harz Tower is a well-known tourist landmark in the Harz Mountains region. Officials confirmed there were no technical defects with the tower itself. A crisis intervention team has also been deployed to the site.