A horrifying incident saw a woman fall four storeys to her death after the doors to an elevator shaft opened without the lift being there.
Clelia Ditano, 25, was in her apartment building when she pressed the elevator button.
When the doors opened, she stepped through, unaware that the elevator was still four floors below.
According to Italian media reports, Ditano fell onto the roof of the elevator, which had stopped on the first floor, and died on impact.
Ditano's father made the heartbreaking discovery of her body after hearing her phone ring from within the elevator.
He promptly alerted emergency services, who arrived at the scene around 8:00AM.
Just hours before the accident, Ditano had posted a photo on her Instagram story, wearing an off-white top and matching skirt, seemingly ready for a night out.
In a haunting message, she had also shared an image of herself in a black dress with the caption: "Here's to what's to come."
Friends of Ditano, who worked as a cleaner for several bed and breakfasts in the area, described her as a vibrant young woman who loved dancing and socializing, per the Daily Mail.
Ilenia, a close friend, expressed her grief in a tribute: "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..."
People have offered their condolences in the comments of Ditano's final post, with one person writing: "Condolences to all the family.. You can't believe it.."
A second said: "You can’t die like that, rest in peace and may God receive you. I have no other words but my thoughts are with the family."
A third added: "How strange to see the story still available and this last post both published a few hours ago.. not even 24 hours have passed since the last story and yet you're not here anymore, this thing gave me shivers, everything ends in a second. I hope you'll find peace."
Authorities, including police officers and firefighters, are investigating the incident to determine why the doors opened without the elevator present and why the lift was stuck several floors below.
An investigator told local media: "We can assume a malfunction of the locking system because the door should only open when the cabin is at the floor."
Kings III Emergency Communications, a US firm specializing in emergency services for elevators, explained that elevator systems are designed so that the car controls the opening of the doors.
"If the car is not at the landing, it will not trigger the doors to open," the company stated.
"While in particular instances, such as for maintenance reasons, the elevator doors may be opened when a cab is not present, the elevator passenger should always expect a cab to meet them when the elevator doors open. It is designed this way for safety reasons."
Our thoughts are with Ditano's loved ones during this difficult time.
