Remi Lucidi, a French army sergeant, tragically died in a non-battlefield location - beside a Hong Kong skyscraper where he had been seen near the rooftop. Lucidi, 30, was known as a "rooftopper," someone who takes daring photos and selfies from the tops of tall buildings, often by trespassing. After his death, the value and purpose of his art were debated among Instagram users.

To his friends and admirers, Lucidi's photos were seen as the work of a talented adventurer, while his critics viewed them as reckless risk-taking. This debate reflects tensions within the broader urban exploration movement, also known as "urbex." Urban exploration involves trespassing in abandoned properties to tell their stories, but rooftopping, although a part of urbex, focuses more on producing social media content and taking dangerous pictures.

The dangerous nature of rooftop photography has led to criticism, with some rooftoppers even losing their lives. Critics argue that urbex should be about exploring abandoned places safely and documenting their history, rather than seeking thrill and risking lives for impressive pictures. Some within the urban exploration community refer to young rooftoppers engaging in these dangerous antics as "dangle kiddies."

They see their actions as cliché and driven by the desire for attention on social media. However, not all rooftoppers fit this characterization. Some, like French explorer Baptiste Hermant, describe themselves as explorers rather than rooftoppers. They engage in urban exploration for the joy of being on rooftops, spending time with friends, and enjoying the sunrise.

Lucidi's friends remember him as an experienced climber with a passion for capturing the dramatic skyline of Hong Kong. They celebrate him as an extraordinary photographer who captured the world's beauty from breathtaking heights. His death was confirmed by the French military.

The exact circumstances of his death are yet to be confirmed by the Hong Kong authorities, who found his body after responding to a call from a security guard. Lucidi's Instagram page documents his global adventures, with posts from cities such as London, Bangkok, Mexico City, and Dubai. Many of his posts included hashtags like #urbanrogues and #scaryhighstuffs, accompanied by playful captions that highlighted the risks he took for his shots.

His last expedition in Hong Kong led him to the Tregunter Towers, a luxury residence on the island. Witnesses reported seeing him knocking on the window of a 68th-floor penthouse.