MENTAWAI ISLANDS, INDONESIA – A surfing enthusiast from Italy tragically lost her life after encountering a rare accident involving a sharp-billed fish off the coast of Indonesia’s West Sumatra. Giulia Manfrini, 36, was surfing in the Mentawai Islands, a renowned surfing destination, when the unfortunate incident occurred, according to her business associate, James Colston.
Colston shared the heartbreaking news on social media, emphasizing Manfrini’s passion for surfing in a heartfelt message. Despite efforts by her surfing partner, local resort staff, and medical professionals, Manfrini could not be saved. Colston remarked on her devotion to the sport, stating that she “died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved.”
The tragic event unfolded when Manfrini was surfing near the southern coast of Siberut Island, where she was struck in the chest by a needlefish, a marine species known for its elongated, sharp bill. The incident happened at approximately 9:30 a.m. local time, according to the Mentawai Islands disaster management agency.
Medical reports indicate that Manfrini sustained a fatal wound to her upper left chest. This type of accident is extremely rare despite the potentially dangerous physical attributes of these fish, such as their sharp bills that can pierce through surfaces with significant force.
Manfrini and Colston were the founders of AWAVE Travel, a company organizing trips to surf destinations like the Mentawai Islands. The local Hidden Bay Resort Mentawais, where Manfrini was staying, expressed their sorrow through social media, remembering her as both a client and a friend.
Eyewitnesses reported that, despite immediate first aid efforts and a quick transfer to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu health center, Manfrini succumbed to her injuries.
Back in Italy, particularly in her hometown of Venaria Reale near Turin, the news of Manfrini’s untimely demise has left her community in mourning. Mayor Fabio Giulivi expressed his heartfelt condolences to her family and friends in a public statement.
Giulia Manfrini was not only a skilled surfer but also a former professional snowboarder whose quest for adventure took her around the world.