36-year-old Italian surfer Giulia Manfrini has died after being fatally entangled by a swordfish during a strange incident in Indonesia. according to abc australiaMs Manfrini was surfing at a popular surf break on the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, when the accident occurred. While she was swimming in the waters of Ombak Bengbeng near Masokut Island, a swordfish speared her in the chest, seriously injuring her. He reportedly had a 5 cm deep knife wound on the left side of his chest.
Ms. Manfrini, a surf coach and founder of the surf travel agency AWAVE, was well-known in the local surfing community, the outlet reported. Lahamuddin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands disaster management agency, said the swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced his chest”.
Separately, James Colston, co-founder of AWAVE Travel, said Ms Manfrini had “touched countless people in the surf world” in Europe and around the world. “His kindness, caring and positivity were missed by all who met him and will be greatly missed,” he said.
Frankie Smithurst of surf charter operator Naga Laut Mentawai Blue said he would be remembered for his “huge zest for life”. “Giuliia will always be known for her huge heart matched by her huge smile, an extremely selfless person who truly loved life,” he told the outlet.
At the time of the incident, two of Ms Manfrini’s friends were nearby. They provided first aid and took him to a nearby health care centre, but despite their efforts he could not be saved. Medical reports later revealed that he had a 5 cm deep wound on his chest and showed signs of drowning.
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Following news of her death, Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Ms Manfrini’s hometown of Venaria Reale, expressed the community’s grief over her tragic death in a Facebook post, and spoke of support for her bereaved family.
“Just 36 years old and from Veneria, Giulia has long had her twin dreams: a love of surfing and opening a travel agency for sports holidays,” he wrote. “The news of his death has shocked us all and left us feeling powerless in the face of such a devastating tragedy that took his life too soon,” he said.
Ms Manfrini’s Instagram page has also been filled with emotional tributes. One user wrote, “The sea, which gave you so much, took your life. May your soul rest in peace.”
“Our entire community in Portugal is saddened along with you when we heard the sad news. She loved life, and we spent (our) last evening (together) talking about picking pomegranates and making fig jam and we What other fruits will we reap together in the years ahead. She became like my new Italian daughter, and oh, how we will miss her. We can only say how much she achieved in her short life, and she did it all. Completely accomplished,” her former volleyball coach wrote.
