Skydivers Plunge to Their Deaths After Getting Parachutes Tangled Mid-Air

Two experienced skydivers have died in a devastating mid-air accident after their parachutes became tangled during a group jump in Italy.

The victims were identified as 70-year-old Ermes Zampa and 63-year-old Violetta Laiketsion, both longtime veterans of the extreme sport. The tragic incident took place on December 14 near Fano, where a group of 14 skydivers had taken part in a coordinated jump.

Zampa was a highly respected figure in the skydiving world, with more than 2,000 jumps over three decades and years of experience as an instructor. Laiketsion was even more seasoned, having completed over 6,000 jumps during her career.

According to reports, Zampa exited the aircraft first, while Laiketsion jumped last. Despite the distance between their exits, the two ended up dangerously close to one another as they approached the ground. At an altitude of roughly 30 meters, their parachutes touched, collapsed, and became entangled, leaving no time to recover before impact.

Roberto Mascio, director of Skydive Fano, confirmed that the incident was captured on video and is now in the possession of authorities. He explained that the timing made the situation impossible to fix. “You could see the two canopies touching and then collapsing,” Mascio said. “At that height, there’s almost no time to react or make a decision.”

He described the loss as deeply personal. “I’ve known Violetta and Ermes for a long time. Seeing what happened is incredibly painful,” he said, noting their extensive experience and skill.

Mascio suggested that human error may have played a role, explaining that even seasoned skydivers can misjudge distance in a split second. “All it takes is a brief distraction,” he said. “By the time you realize how close you are, it can already be too late.” He also noted that a similar accident involving two instructors occurred in another part of Italy two years ago.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through both the local community in Fano and the wider skydiving world. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.