Surfer and former snowboarder Giulia Manfrini was fatally injured by a swordfish while she was out surfing off Indonesia’s West Sumatra coast, local authorities said.
The 36-year-old Italian died after a swordfish attacked her while she was surfing out in the waters off Ombak Bengbeng, near Masokut Island, around 9:30 a.m. local time on Oct. 18.
Lahmudin Siregar, head of the Mentawai Islands’ Disaster Management Agency, told state-news agency Antara that the swordfish “unexpectedly jumped towards Manfrini and pierced her chest.”
Two people were nearby when the incident occurred. They helped Manfrini out of the water and rushed her to the Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu health center, where she succumbed to her injuries, Antara reported, citing Siberut police.
Medical examination revealed that she suffered a 2-inch deep stab wound to the upper left chest.
James Colston, who set up a surf travel agency with Manfrini, shared his grief on the company’s Instagram account.
“Giulia was the lifeblood of this company and her infectious enthusiasm for surf, snow and life will be remembered by all that came in contact with her,” he wrote.
“Giulia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, laugh and endless Stoke,” he added, referring to her passion for surfing. “Anyone was lucky to have her on board a charter or surf trip!”
“We love you Giulia. I am so sorry to say goodbye.”
As soon as the news began to spread, many left comments on Manfrini’s Instagram page, which has more than 27,000 followers: “Shocking news, rest in peace Giulia.” And again: “Your smile will not be forgotten.”
The mayor of Venaria Reale, Manfrini’s hometown in northern Italy, expressed his condolences over her premature death in a Facebook post, noting the support for her grieving family in the town.
“The entire community of Venaria gathers around the family of Giulia Manfrini,” the mayor wrote.
“Giulia, a 36-year-old Venaria native, had long fulfilled her double dream of surfing, her favorite sport, and opening a travel agency for sports holidays. And so, in the prime of life, she passes away from her loved ones in such a tragic way in the Indian Ocean.”
Manfrini’s body has been transported to Padang City and will be repatriated to Italy.
Swordfish grow to 10 foot in length, weighing 1,200 pounds on average. They are fast and agile swimmers that can leap out of the water and use their sharp bills to slash at prey and inflict injury when threatened.
There have been very few reports of swordfish attacks on humans, however, but there have been some.
In 2007, a Malaysian fisherman died after being attacked by a swordfish, when its bill pierced his eye and penetrated into the man’s skull.
In 2020, a 2.5-foot-long needlefish jumped out of the sea and stabbed a 16-year old boy in the neck while he was out at sea fishing in Indonesian waters. The boy managed to reach a local hospital with the fish still stuck in his neck. The boy survived. The fish did not.