Surfer Giulia Manfrini has died at age 36 after a “freak accident.”
AWAVE Travel, a travel agency company Manfrini cofounded, confirmed the news on Saturday, October 19. “It is with the deepest sadness that I have to announce the passing of Giulia Manfrini, one of AWAVE Travel’s co-founders,” cofounder James Colston wrote in a statement on the official Awave Instagram account.
Colston explained that Manfrini “suffered a freak accident” while surfing in “remote” Indonesia.
“Unfortunately, even with the brave efforts of her partner, local resort staff and doctors, Giulia couldn’t be saved,” he continued. “We believe she died doing what she loved, in a place that she loved.”
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According to BBC, Lahmudin Siregar, acting head of the Mentawai Islands Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), told news agency Antara that Manfrini was struck and killed by a swordfish.
“The information we received from the Head of Southwest Siberut District was that an accident occurred with an Italian citizen while surfing,” Siregar reportedly told the outlet. “Unexpectedly, a swordfish jumped towards Manfrini and stuck her right in the chest.”
The London Evening Standard also reported on Sunday, October 20, that Manfrini had a “five-centimeter deep stab wound on the left side of her chest.” The outlet also cited local media outlets claiming that Massimo Ferro and Alexandre Ribas were nearby and attempted to save Manfrini.
While giving his tribute on Saturday, Colston shared that Giulia 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.”
“Giulia couldn’t travel without people falling in love with her smile, laugh and endless Stoke,” he continued. “Anyone was lucky to have her on board a charter or surf trip!”
Colston noted that AWAVE Travel will be operational and the team will be available to handle ongoing trips.
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“We value your kind words, memories of Giulia and all that she leaves behind,” he concluded. “We love you Giulia. I am so sorry to say goodbye.”
Alongside the message, Colston and AWAVE Travel shared several pictures of Manfrini including a few of her catching waves on her surfboard.
Following news of her death, the mayor of Manfrini’s Italian hometown, Fabio Giulivi, also took time to pay tribute to the athlete.
“The entire Venarian community is gathering around Giulia Manfrini’s family,” he wrote in a statement via Facebook on Saturday, translated to English. “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.”
