Karmactive Staff
Giulia Manfrini, a 36-year-old Italian surf coach and travel entrepreneur, died after a swordfish impaled her while surfing off Masokut Island in Indonesia.
Photo Credit: @giuliamanfrini (Instagram)
The incident occurred when Manfrini was surfing and a swordfish leapt from the water and struck her.
The impact resulted in a 5 centimeters deep wound on the left side of Manfrini's chest.
She was given emergency first aid at the scene of the incident and was immediately taken to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Center.
Manfrini is from Venaria Reale in Northern Italy, she was a former professional snowboarder and the cofounder of AWAVE Travel.
The co-founder of AWAVE travels, James Colston, remarked that despite the brave efforts of her partner, local resort staff and doctors, Giulia couldn't be saved as she succumbed to her injury.
Mayor Fabio Giulivi wrote on his Instagram that the entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini's family after the news of her death left everyone shocked.
Marine incidents involving swordfish and needlefish are not uncommon in Indonesian waters.
In December 2023, Italian surfer Alberto Marcon suffered a punctured lung from a needlefish strike while surfing in Sumbawa's coast.
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