A 27-year-old Italian woman living in the UK has died after slipping on a boulder and plunging nearly 100ft from a waterfall in Sri Lanka while on holiday with a friend.
Valentina Stragliotto fell at Kithal Ella waterfall near the town of Ella on Thursday, reportedly in front of her friend.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and took Stragliotto to hospital, but she had suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead upon admission.
An investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.
Stragliotto had moved to Brighton several years ago from Italy, where she worked as an online advertising specialist and ran a confidence coaching business called Aligned & Free. She also worked as a group travel coordinator for travel company WeRoad.
The 27-year-old was known for her love of nature, hiking and climbing. In a previous post, she wrote: “My place is in nature. I love hiking and climbing and I especially love waterfalls.”
She had reportedly travelled to 33 countries and spoke French, Italian, English and Spanish.
News of her death prompted tributes from friends, colleagues and people in her hometown of Bassano del Grappa in Italy.
Former classmate Rafael Marchese said he was left “speechless” and filled with “great sorrow” after learning of her death, while a colleague at WeRoad said the team was “shocked” by the tragedy.
The mayor of Bassano del Grappa also offered condolences to Stragliotto’s family, describing the death of a young person as a “deep wound” for the community.
Her parents, Fabio Stragliotto and Barbara Zarpellon, said they were unable to speak publicly while dealing with the loss.
The incident has also renewed questions over safety measures around Kithal Ella, a popular tourist area known for its greenery and waterfalls. Sri Lankan media have reported calls for clearer warning signs and designated safe viewing areas for visitors.
