A fatal incident occurred in Fasano, southern Italy when a young woman fell down an elevator shaft in her residential building. Clelia Ditano, 25, unknowingly walked into the open shaft in the early hours of July 1, 2024, as the elevator was stationed four floors below.
Local media outlets reported that Ditano plunged through the shaft and landed on top of the elevator, which was stationed on the first floor. The impact led to her immediate death. Ditano’s body was discovered later that morning by her father after he called her phone and heard it ring from within the elevator shaft.
The emergency services were notified and arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. An ongoing investigation into the elevator’s functioning is being carried out to understand why the doors opened with the elevator absent. Preliminary results point towards a possible malfunction in the elevator’s safety mechanisms that should have stopped the doors from opening without the elevator car present at the floor.
On the day of the incident, Ditano, who worked as a cleaner at multiple local bed and breakfasts, posted a photograph on Instagram. She was seen in an off-white ensemble, seemingly ready for an evening out. Poignantly, she also uploaded a picture in a black dress with the caption: “Here’s to what’s to come,” on the day of her untimely demise.
The abrupt loss has left Ditano’s friends and family devastated. A friend, Ilenia, wrote a tribute stating, “It wasn’t supposed to go this way. You were supposed to make all your dreams come true, the family you wanted to create, find true love…” Another friend wrote on her final Instagram post, “Beautiful and kind, you had a life ahead of you to live.”
The authorities are working to find the cause of the malfunction. “We can assume a malfunction of the locking system because the door should only open when the cabin is on the floor,” stated an investigator.
The incident has sparked concerns over the safety standards and maintenance protocols of elevators in residential buildings. Ditano’s father is deeply affected by the tragedy. Friends and family continue to share their condolences, painting a picture of Ditano as a lively, enthusiastic young woman with a love for dancing and sports.
