Last week, an Italian surfer was bitten to death by a marlin in waters off Indonesia’s Masokut Island.
Local news agency Antara reported that 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini was surfing around 9:30 a.m. when the freak accident occurred.
“Unexpectedly, the swordfish dived towards Manfrini and impaled him in the right chest,” said Mentawai Islands Regency Regional Disaster Management Authority Director Rahmuddin Siregar.
Mr. Manfrini was rushed to a local hospital at Pei Pei Health Center. Antara, who received the medical report, said Manfrini suffered a two-inch-deep stab wound to the upper left chest and showed signs of fluid in his lungs.
Although marlin attacks are extremely rare and fatalities are even rarer, the marlin’s sharp protruding snout is a formidable weapon for these predatory fish and can result in deadly encounters. In 2015, a Hawaiian captain died after being speared by a long-beaked fish.
The Mentawais are considered one of the best surfing locations in the world due to their warm water, consistent breaks, and glassy conditions. As a result, the islands have a thriving tourism economy with surf camps and travel agencies offering guided trips to foreign surfers.
Manfrini, a former professional snowboarder, was the co-founder of AWAVE, a travel company that offers surf trips and surf charters at luxury surf resorts in remote locations around the world, including several spots in the Mentawai Islands. She was a guest at Hidden Bay Resort in the northern Mentawai Islands at the time of the accident.
“Unfortunately, in this case there was nothing we could have done to prevent the accident,” Hidden Bay Resort said in an Instagram post. We provided support,” he added.
Friends and customers shared condolences and memories of the avid surfer online.
“Julia was the lifeblood of this company and her contagious enthusiasm for surfing, snow and life will be remembered by all who came in contact with her,” said James Colston, co-founder of AWAVE. he said on social media. “Julia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, laughter, and endless excitement.”
Massimo Ferro, one of two witnesses at the scene of Manfrini’s murder, shared a series of photos from his trip leading up to the fatal accident.
“You jumped full speed into my life and walked out the same way,” Ferro wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for being with me until the last moment.”