A beloved surfer has tragically died after suffering a fatal injury after being struck by a swordfish.
Giulia Manfrini, a 36-year-old Italian surfer and entrepreneur, tragically died following a surfing session off the coast of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
As reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC.net), Manfrini had been surfing the waves at Ombak Bengbeng, near Masokut Island, when she was struck by a swordfish in an extraordinarily rare accident.
The fish, known for its sharp, elongated bill, leaped from the water and impaled Manfrini in the chest.
Lahmudin Siregar, the acting head of the Mentawai Islands' Disaster Management Agency, confirmed the freak occurrence, adding that the animal "unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest".
The tragic incident witnessed immediate response from Manfrini's friends, Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, who provided first aid and transported her urgently to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center.
Despite their swift actions, Manfrini succumbed to her injuries - which included a 5cm deep chest wound compounded by signs of drowning.
As well as being a surfer, Manfrini was a revered surf coach and the visionary founder of AWAVE, a travel agency specializing in surf trips.
Her colleague, James Colston, co-founder of AWAVE Travel, remembered her as a person who "touched countless people within the surf world" with her kindness, care, and positivity. Frankie Smithurst from Naga Laut Mentawai Blue reminisced about 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," Smithurst told ABC.net.
Following the tragedy, Manfrini's body was taken to Padang City, from where arrangements were made to repatriate her to Italy. Her hometown of Venaria Reale is in mourning, with Mayor Fabio Giulivi expressing deep sorrow over her untimely death.
On social media, Mayor Giulivi wrote (translated): "The entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini's family.
"The news of her death has left us shocked and makes us feel powerless in front of the tragedy that took her life so prematurely.
"Giulia, from Venaria, only 36 years old, had long had her double dream of surfing, her favorite sport, and of opening a travel agency for sports holidays. And so, in the middle of life, he misses his loved ones in such a tragic way in the Indian Ocean.
"To mom Chiara, dad Giorgio and all the people who loved her, a touched hug from me and the whole City."
West Sumatra, a beacon for surf enthusiasts from around the globe, offers world-class waves that attract countless visitors each year. However, this incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the surfing paradise, reminding everyone of the unpredictable power of nature.
Our thoughts go out to Manfrini's family and loved ones at this difficult time.
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