Italy's ambassador to Australia has reportedly died after falling from a balcony in her home town.
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Italian media on Sunday reported Ambassador Francesca Tardioli was found dead outside a house in Foligno, north of Rome.
Her death is being investigated by local authorities, the reports say.
Australia's ambassador to Italy, Margaret Twomey, mourned the loss of Ms Tardioli on social media.
"Heartbreaking news on the passing of Ambassador Francesca Tardioli. Dear friend. Brilliant colleague. Greatly respected diplomat," she wrote on Twitter on Sunday night.
She described Ms Tardioli as one of Italy's greatest gifts to Australia.
The Italian Embassy in Australia's website describes Ms Tardioli as a senior diplomat who held the position of ambassador since September 2019.
She was fluent in both English and French with a good knowledge of the German and Spanish languages, the website says.
The embassy and Italy's foreign affairs ministry also praised Ms Tardioli in social media posts on Sunday night.
AAP has contacted Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
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Australian Associated Press
