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An Italian woman who was surfing on an island off the west coast of Sumatra died after being gored by a swordfish, according to reports.
Indonesia’s Antara news agency reported that 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini was surfing in the waters of Masokut Island in the Mentawai Islands, just off the west coast of Sumatra, when she was bitten by a swordfish's beak.
Mentawai Islands Disaster Management Authority Acting Director Rahmuddin Siregar told the media that the agency had been alerted to an accident involving an Italian national surfing.
He said Manfrini was chasing waves in the waters of Ombak and Bemben on Masokto Island in the southwestern Siberut district.
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Giulia Manfrini died in a tragic accident earlier this month when she was struck in the chest by a marlin while searching for waves off the coast of Sumatra. (Credit: ROPI, via ZUMA Press)
“Unexpectedly, the swordfish dived towards Manfrini and impaled the female tourist in the chest,” Siregar added.
According to information obtained by Antara from Siberto police, Manfrini waved to two witnesses, also foreigners, Alexandre Rivas and Massimo Ferro, asking for help.
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Giulia Manfrini was gored by a swordfish while surfing in Indonesia. (Credit: Instagram Giuliamanfrini)
Two witnesses rushed to Manfrini’s aid and administered first aid before transporting him to a nearby clinic, where he was pronounced dead.
Examinations carried out by the Paypay Puskesmas medical team revealed that Manfrini had suffered a stab wound approximately 5 centimeters deep in his upper chest. The report also said foam was coming out of the victim’s nose, indicating lack of oxygen due to drowning.
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Giulia Manfrini died in a freak accident earlier this month after being gored by a swordfish. (Asia Pacific Press)
Manfrini’s body is currently in Pei Pei Puskesmas and will be taken to Padang city before being sent to Italy.
Manfrini reportedly grew up in Venaria Reale, a community on the outskirts of the Italian city of Turin.
Venaria Reale Mayor Fabio Giulivi spoke out on Saturday about Manfrini’s sudden death.
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Giulia Manfrini was an Italian surfer. (Credit: Instagram Giuliamanfrini)
“The entire Venarian community is rallying around the family of Giulia Manfrini,” Giulivi said in a translated post. “The news of her death shocks us and leaves us feeling helpless in the face of the tragedy that took her life so soon.”
He went on to say that Manfrini dreamed of surfing and opening a travel agency for sports holidays.
“I and the whole city send a heartwarming hug to my mother Chiara, my father Giorgio and everyone who loved her,” Giulivi said.
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Giulia Manfrini dreamed of opening her own travel agency. (Julia Manfrini/Instagram)
Tributes poured in after news of Manfrini’s death broke.
One person, who said Manfrini spent her last night talking about picking pomegranates and making fig jam, said of her friend: “The only thing we can say about how much she gained in her short life is…” It completely fulfilled my needs,” he wrote.
Another said: “We are a huge heartbroken community who love Julia with all our hearts. She is the most easygoing friend we have and always brings joy and love to our group. “He gave it to me,” he wrote.
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The Mentawai Islands Regency is a popular international tourist destination, especially for surfing.
