Florida Woman Dies After Falling 1,000 Feet in Italian Alps
A 36-year-old American tourist died in the Dolomites after straying from a marked trail to take photographs.
A 36-year-old Florida woman died after falling approximately 1,000 feet in the Italian Alps. Michaelle Alejandra Rubio Leiva was exploring the Dolomites with her family when she reportedly lost her footing near Forcella Pordoi, a mountain pass above the resort town of Canazei.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that Leiva may have strayed from the marked route towards a panoramic viewpoint. She plunged about 980 feet down an exposed section of the mountainside. Her sister raised the alarm, prompting an emergency response. An air ambulance and mountain rescue teams were dispatched.
Medical personnel were lowered onto the mountainside, but Leiva was pronounced dead at the scene. The family had been hiking at an altitude of around 9,000 feet and was en route to a cable car station for the summit of Sass Pordoi, known for its sweeping views.
Leiva, who was born in Guatemala, graduated from Brigham Young University and worked in communications and consulting, most recently for a firm in Miami. She had also been involved in several volunteer projects.
Forcella Pordoi is part of the Sella mountain group, a region within the UNESCO-listed Dolomites characterized by towering limestone cliffs and rocky passes. While accessible by cable car, navigating the surrounding terrain on foot can be challenging, with steep inclines and loose gravel posing risks, especially along exposed sections.
Leiva's relatives were airlifted to the nearby town of Canazei, while rescue teams worked to recover her body. The Dolomites attract visitors globally for their scenic beauty, but the rugged terrain can present significant dangers for those venturing off established paths.
