Holidaymaker in Corralejo dies after hospital sent her back to apartment twice
An Italian holidaymaker in Fuerteventura has died after she was sent back to her accommodation twice following visits to hospital emergency services, despite complaining of severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. Spanish authorities have now ordered an autopsy and seized medical reports as the case moves into a formal investigation phase.
The woman has been identified as 47-year-old Letizia Ciampi from Florence. She was found dead on Friday in her room at a holiday apartment in Corralejo, in the north of Fuerteventura. She had arrived on the island on 31st December to spend New Year’s Eve with a friend who was already in the Canary Islands.
According to reports, shortly after landing in Fuerteventura, Letizia began suffering intense chest pain and breathing difficulties and decided to seek urgent medical attention. She attended emergency services at the Corralejo health centre, where she underwent checks before being discharged. Doctors reportedly put her symptoms down to stress and advised her to undergo further lung tests once she returned to Italy.
Her condition did not improve after returning to her accommodation. Later that same day, she cancelled her New Year’s Eve plans, called an ambulance and was taken back to the health centre for a second time.
According to statements given by her friends, she was examined again, received intravenous treatment and was given a prescription, but was discharged once more with the same diagnosis.
Back in her room, the pain reportedly continued. Letizia sent a final WhatsApp message to her friend, Walter, just before 11 pm, saying she did not feel well enough to attend dinner. It was the last contact anyone had with her. On 1st January, after being unable to reach her, her friend went to the apartment but was unable to get in.
The following day, firefighters assisted him and the property owner in forcing entry after it was discovered that the door was locked from the inside. Letizia was found lying on the bed in a foetal position, with small traces of blood on the sheets, and was not breathing.
Doctors later confirmed the cause of death as pulmonary oedema, a serious medical condition that can develop very quickly and involves a build-up of fluid in the lungs, preventing oxygen from passing properly into the bloodstream. The condition can cause sudden and severe breathing difficulties, chest pain and extreme distress, and often requires urgent hospital treatment.
According to reports, Spanish judicial authorities have now ordered a full autopsy to determine whether Letizia’s death was a tragic medical event or whether there may have been medical negligence. Police have seized both medical reports linked to her two visits to emergency services at the Corralejo health centre and are reportedly examining the medical response she received. Medical staff involved in her treatment are also expected to be interviewed once the autopsy results are available.
At this stage, no official conclusions have been reached, and no charges have been filed. The investigation remains ongoing.
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