An Italian woman died last week after being stabbed in the chest by a swordfish beak while surfing in Indonesia.
Paying tribute to 36-year-old Giulia Manfrini, her loved ones described her death as a “freak accident.”
Lahmuddin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands Disaster Management Agency, told local media that Manfrini was surfing in the waters of the Mentawai Islands area when she was stabbed by a swordfish.
Manfrini was “unexpectedly” struck by the swordfish’s long, pointed beak while off the coast of Sumatra, Siregar said. He told the state-run Antara news agency that the collision caused a gash two inches (about five centimeters) deep.
Manfrini reportedly called for help and was brought to a local medical center by two witnesses who also administered first aid. She didn’t survive. The official cause of her death has not yet been announced.
The resort where Manfrini was staying at the time said she died in an “unfortunate accident while surfing in one of the friendliest waves in the area.”
The statement from Hidden Bay Resort Mentawais said Manfrini died “almost instantly” and there was “nothing we could do.”
The company said Manfrini’s body would be repatriated with support from the resort.
Manfrini was one of the founders of UK-based Awave, a travel agency focused on surfing.
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In a social media post, Manfrini’s business partner said she had been involved in a “freak accident” but “died doing what she loved, in the place she loved.”
“Unfortunately, even with the valiant efforts of her partner, local spa staff and doctors, Julia could not be saved,” co-founder James Colston wrote.
Colston described Manfrini as the “lifeblood” of the company and said she would be remembered for her “contagious enthusiasm for surf, snow and life”, as well as her “endless smile, laugh and stoke”.
Fabio Golivi, mayor of Manfrini’s hometown of Venaria, said their community was “shocked” by the news of Manfrini’s death, and now felt “helpless.”
Giolvi sent his good wishes to the Manfrini family on behalf of the entire city.
Swordfish attacks are Extremely rareas research indicates, but completely unheard of. It is not clear whether this swordfish attacked Manfrini, or if it snuck up on the animal.
As the name suggests, the swordfish has a bill Incredibly sharp Edges like the weapon of the same name. This species uses its beak to capture food by cutting side to side to dismember prey, or more likely for defense.
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