Surfer Giulia Mandarin dies in freak swordfish accident while catching wave off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast
An Italian woman was fatally speared by a swordfish while surfing Mentawai Island off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Giulia Manfrini died after after the fish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest”.
West Sumatra is a popular destination for international surfers, attracting visitors from Australia and around the world.
An Italian surfer has died in a rare and tragic accident after being struck by a swordfish while surfing off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast.
Giulia Manfrini, 36, was fatally injured after a swordfish speared her in the chest while she surfed in the waters off Ombak Bengbeng, near Masokut Island, according to local authorities.
Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency, said the swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest”.
A woman on a surfboard surfing a big wave.
The surfing community have mourned the death of 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini. (Supplied: Naga Laut Mentawai Blue)
Ms Manfrini, a surf coach and founder of the surf travel agency AWAVE, was well-known in the local surfing community.
James Colston, Co-Founder of AWAVE Travel said Ms Manfrini “touched countless people within the surf world” both in Europe and worldwide.
“Her kindness, care and positivity were remembered by all that met her and she will be dearly missed,” he said.
Frankie Smithurst, from surf charter operator Naga Laut Mentawai Blue, said she would be remembered for her “overflowing excitement for life”.
“Giulia will be forever known by her huge heart which matched her huge smile, an extremely selfless person who truly loved life,” he told the ABC.
Two of her friends, Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, were nearby when the incident happened.
They provided first aid and rushed her to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center, but despite their efforts, she could not be saved.
The mayor of Venaria Reale, where Giulia Manfrini was born, said the community was in shock. (Supplied: Fabio Giulivi Sindaco Facebook)
Medical reports indicated she suffered a 5-centimetre deep wound to her chest and showed signs of drowning.
Ms Manfrini’s body has been transported to Padang City and will be repatriated to Italy.
Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Venaria Reale, Ms Manfrini’s hometown, expressed the community’s sorrow over her tragic death in a Facebook post, noting the support for her grieving family.
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