Inp.polri.go.id - Padang. An Italian woman, Giulia Manfrini, 36, died after being impaled by a swordfish (Xiphias gladius) while surfing in the waters off Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra.

Lahmudin Siregar, the Acting head of the Mentawai Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed on Friday (18/20/2024) the accident occurred while Manfrini was catching waves at Bengbeng Beach on Masokut Island around 9:30 am. 

“Unexpectedly, a swordfish jumped towards her and struck her in the chest,” he explained, as reported by antaranews.com.

Witnesses Alexandre Ribas and Massimo Ferro, both fellow tourists, saw Manfrini signaling for help. They quickly rushed to her aid, providing first aid and transporting her to the Pei Pei Community Health Center. Unfortunately, she could not be saved.

Medical examinations at the health center revealed a puncture wound in her upper left chest, approximately five centimeters deep. The report indicated that Manfrini’s nose was frothing, likely due to oxygen deprivation from drowning.

Her body will be transported by boat to Padang before being returned to Italy. This incident follows the death of an American surfer, Erick Robert Soreker, in Pagai Selatan in June 2024.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)