Photo: @giuliamanfrini/Instagram
Italian surfer Giulia Manfrini died at the age of 36 after being impaled by a swordfish earlier this month, News.com.au reports.
Manfrini, who described herself as a "Surf & Snow Travel Expert" on Instagram, was surfing at Masokut Island in the Mentawai archipelago when a swordfish leaped out of the ocean and struck her chest, according to eyewitnesses present at the scene. The surfer reportedly had a 1.96-inch stab wound on the left side of her chest in relation to the incident, according to the Standard.
Manfrini was transported to Pei Pei Pasakiat Taileleu Health Centre, but pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the health clinic. The surfer reportedly signaled for help to two witnesses at the scene after being impaled by the shark, according to the Siberut Police.
Manfrini's nose was reported to be foaming during the incident, according to Stabmag, which typically indicates that she suffered oxygen deprivation from drowning. Fabio Giulivi, the mayor of Venaria Reale, Manfrini's hometown, shared a tribute following news of her death.
“The entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini’s family,” Giulivi wrote in a translated post shared on Instagram. “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."