Giulia Manfrini, a 36-year-old Italian surfer and tourist, was riding a wave off the coast of Mentawai’s Masokut Island when a swordfish reportedly jumped out of the water and fatally impaled her in the chest.
According to the Acting Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency of the Mentawai Islands Regency, Lahmudin Siregar, the tragic incident occurred while Manfrini was surfing in the waters of Ombak Bengbeng, Masokut Island, Pasakiat Taileleu Village, Southwest Siberut District, at around 9:30 AM local time on Friday, 18th of October.
“Unexpectedly, a swordfish leapt towards Manfrini and struck her directly in the chest,” he told the press on Friday.
Based on information obtained from the Siberut Police, the victim signalled for help by waving to two witnesses, both foreigners, named Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro. The two witnesses quickly assisted, provided first aid, and took the victim to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Centre. Unfortunately, they were unable to save her life.
According to the medical team’s examination at Pei Pei Health Centre, Manfrini sustained a stab wound to the upper left chest, penetrating about five centimetres deep. The medical report also noted that foam was present around her nose, likely due to oxygen deprivation following the incident.
Manfrini was known in her native Italy as a surfer and influencer. Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of her hometown, Venaria Reale, expressed his condolences on Instagram on Sunday, 20th of October.
“The news of her death has left us shocked and feeling helpless in the face of a tragedy that took her so prematurely,” Giulivi wrote in Italian. “Giulia, a 36-year-old from Venaria, had long fulfilled her dual dreams of surfing, her favourite sport, and opening a travel agency specialising in sports holidays. And so, in the prime of life, she passed away, leaving her loved ones behind in such a tragic way in the Indian Ocean. To her mother Chiara, her father Giorgio, and to all those who loved her, I extend my heartfelt condolences and that of the entire city.”
Swordfish are a species of marine fish with an elongated upper jaw and snout resembling a flat, strong sword, accounting for nearly a third of the fish’s body length. Their skin is smooth, not scaly, with a purplish or bluish hue on the upper body and a silvery underside. Swordfish are commonly found in tropical and temperate waters.